EVDL Administrator via EV wrote:
I don't see the benefit in driving an EV M-F and add an ICE range extender
to it on the weekend, if the range extender's emissions are 10x that of the
ICEV I'm replacing - or more.
IMO it's better to own an EV, and rent a small ICEV for those longer trips;
or take mass transit, if it's available. It's also going to be more
comfortable and quieter.
I agree that the pollution from a small engine is many times worse than
any emission-controlled automobile engine.
However, small 4-cycle engines can be converted to run on propane or
natural gas. In this form, they are far cleaner than when running on
gasoline -- clean enough that they are often used indoors in fork lifts,
floor sweepers, etc.
I think the real key is going to be how *often* you use this range
extender. If it's only used for 1% of your miles driven, the total
pollution it produces will still be less than driving an
emission-controlled ICE.
But if you find yourself using it for 10% or more of the miles driven,
then you'd be better off (emission-wise) to use an ICE.
Another point: These small engines are usually designed for *very* short
operating lives. You'll wear them out very quickly if used for hours a day.
--
An engineer can do for a nickel what any damn fool can do for a dollar.
-- Henry Ford
--
Lee Hart's EV projects are at http://www.sunrise-ev.com/LeesEVs.htm
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