Google tests out wireless electric-car charging

March 23, 2011

Nathan Wilson says:

The availability of wireless car charging will be every bit as important as adequate range in making electric cars successful.

Sure a few greens will choose a car/charger based on the highest efficiency.

But luxury car buyers (a much larger group than greens) will choose based on convenience. And wireless charging makes an electric car more convenient than gas for in-town use.

It’s a super feature.

And Willem, it's greens who demand the car subsidies.  Luxury car buyers don't care.

Share this comment: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

March 23, 2011

Willem Post says:

Tyler,

EV charging gimmicks will not alter the fact that EVs will be mostly for the richer "greenies" among the top 5% of households, just as are hybrids, PV solar and geothermal systems. These households collect most of the subsidies that every one else is required to pay by means of fees, taxes and higher electric rates. It is not a viable strategy to have the vast majority of households not participating in reducing CO2. There is not enough subsidy money to finance mass adoption of EVs.

http://theenergycollective.com/willem-post/50925/electric-vehicle-hoopla

Effective CO2 emission reduction policy requires that all households eagerly participate. Current subsidies for electric vehicles, residential wind, PV solar and geothermal systems benefit mostly the top 5% of households, while all other households are required to pay for them by means of fees and taxes or higher electric rates; the net effect is much cynicism and little CO2 reduction. Increased energy efficiency policy provides much greater opportunities to many more households to significantly reduce their CO2 emissions. 

Energy efficiency will have a much bigger role in the near future, as energy system analysts come to realize that tens of trillions of dollars will be required to reduce CO2 from all sources and that energy efficiency will reduce CO2 at a lesser cost and more effectively. Every household can participate.

Energy efficiency projects:

- will make the US more competitive, increase exports and reduce the trade balance.

- usually have simple payback periods of 6 months to 5 years. 

- reduce the need for expensive and highly visible transmission and distribution systems.

- reduce two to five times the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and create two to three times more jobs than renewables per dollar invested; no studies, research, demonstration and pilot plants will be required. 

- have minimal or no pollution, are invisible and quiet, something people really like.

- are by far the cleanest energy development anyone can engage in; they often are quick, cheap and easy.

- have a capacity factor = 1.0 and are available 24/7/365.

- use materials, such as for taping, sealing, caulking, insulation, windows, doors, refrigerators, water heaters, furnaces, fans, air conditioners, etc., that are almost entirely made in the US. They represent about 30% of a project cost, the rest is mostly labor. About 70% of the materials cost of expensive renewables, such as PV solar, is imported (panels from China, inverters from Germany), the rest of the materials cost is miscellaneous electrical items and brackets.

- will quickly reduce CO2 at the lowest cost per dollar invested AND make the economy more efficient in many areas which will raise living standards, or prevent them from falling further. 

- if done before renewables, will reduce the future capacities and capital costs of renewables. 

Share this comment: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

March 22, 2011

Geoffrey Styles says:

Tyler,

A very cool idea, though the convenience comes at what seems like a high economic and environmental price.  Even at 90% efficiency, it would result in discarding at least $300 worth of electricity over the life of the car, along with the lifecycle emissions that went into producing those kWh's.  With people increasingly worried about the losses from phone and laptop rechargers and other "vampire" devices, how is this not a step in the wrong direction? I doubt that we're yet at the point at which the plug is the primary impediment to buying an EV. 

Share this comment: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn