Would use of an HEV such as the Prius cause more or less overall carbon emissions than an EV (or PHEV used only electrically) powered from the national electric grid?
Post 2, amended by Post 40, attempts to address that question, but compares apples and oranges (Prius total gasoline Wh/mile and EV electric motor Wh/mi). Below is a broad-brush calculation approach that takes into account the carbon content of fuels, plus the mix of electricity generation sources and their efficiencies. The calculation estimates the amount of vehicle energy sourced by carbon, which is what counts for global warming. Inputs used here (use your own if you prefer): – Post 2 data, (amended by Post 40), without verification – National grid source mix (http://gm-volt.com/chevy-volt-reasons-for-use-and-cost-of-operation/ ): coal 51%, gas 17%, oil 3%, non-fossil 29% – End-to-end grid efficiencies, incl transmission loss: coal, oil 30%, gas 45% (guessed) – Carbon energy fraction (C-fraction): When oxidized, 1 carbon atom provides as much energy as 4 hydrogen atoms (approx). For example, for methane, CH4, half the energy would come from the C and half from the 4 H. HEV/EV compa
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