Date:         Mon, 16 Feb 2004 15:33:58 -0500
Reply-To:     Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Subject:      Re: "green" cars (NVC)
Comments: To: "Mr. Polak" <MrPolak@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <1983.24.214.48.113.1076961547.squirrel@www.spam-manager.co m>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

...and before anyone spouts off about that wonderful hydrogen technology,
remember that the current technology for manufacturing hydrogen is to crack
hydrocarbons... that's right, they still run (indirectly) on crude.

http://www.engr.psu.edu/h2e/Production.htm

At 01:59 PM 2/16/2004 -0600, Mr. Polak wrote:
>Kim Brennan said:
>
> > So I obviously don't understand what they mean by a "green" car, since
> > fuel economy isn't a major contender in the evaluation.
>
>
>I would not pay attention to any special interest group which "encourages
>the development and widespread use of alternative and clean fuel vehicles"
>yet pushes the use of electric cars.  Let's keep in mind that over 50% of
>electricity in the US is still produced by coal-burning plants, which
>makes an electric vehicle, or your TV for that matter, not electric but in
>fact coal-powered.  This seems rather hypocritical considering they want a
>cleaner environment.
>
>Diesels are always seen as "dirty" because of their history here in the US
>as noisy and smoking behemoths.  My New Beetle TDI does not smoke, is
>respectably fast, quiet, and still delivers mid-40 mpg despite my heavy
>right foot.    I'd say that's green!  More green in my pocket every mile I
>drive.
>
>Chris S.
>
>P.S.  TDI also uses a catalytic converter.