Answers to your car questions
A READER’S COMMENT
Dennis: I read your column every week and enjoy it. In reference to the column where Alfred, the grandfather, was asking about a career for his grandson, I have the following comments: You are correct about the limited usability of electric cars and tractors. Electric transport trucks would have the same problems. The same problems exist for trains and ships. I agree that the internal combustion engines will be around for a long time. I was talking about oil and hydrocarbons with my fourteen year-old granddaughter. The teaching, that she received in school, is that we should not be using any oil from oil wells because it is bad for the environment. She did not realize that most of the plastics we use come from crude oil. In the same way, she was taught that the only safe sources of electricity are solar cells and wind power. She had no idea that there needs to be a base power when the other sources are not available. Canada produces only 4% of the world’s CO2 emissions.
Keep up the good work, Earl Wiese from Oakville
MY COMMENT
I also have had the same type of conversations with my grandchildren and know about the fear that is instilled in them from many different sources. I think that this causes young minds to worry unnecessarily when they have absolutely no way of changing the outcome at their young age. I try to tell them that the world is not going to end in ten to twenty years and we will eventually find a better and cleaner source of energy that is good for them and the environment.
A READER’S COMMENT
I read your quote from an anonymous email sent to you which was essentially a rant about IC (internal combustion) vehicles. I am, by training, an extractive metallurgical engineer and more importantly, I work for a group that invests and mentors early stage sustainable technology companies. The problem that we have with EVs (electric vehicles) is a headlong rush to them without a true cradle to grave analysis. While Ontario and Quebec are somewhat unique in terms of non-fossil based sources of electrical power, approximately 2/3 of the world’s power is still generated by coal. Of course, peak power in Ontario is now being proposed as coming from gas plants. EVs therefore are not “zero emissions” vehicles - they just move the emissions elsewhere. Increased use of EVs means more power generation and more coal burned. We need to understand that we are decades and millions away from being able to replace these power sources with renewables at this scale.
The Chairman of Toyota has recently stated that EV’s are but one part of the solution and that engines, using renewable fuels and hydrogen along with fuels cells and EVs, will all play a role. Toyota continues to develop all of these and the Chairman’s opinion is that only 30% of vehicles will be EVs. Add to this that EVs arrive in the showroom with a larger carbon footprint than IC vehicles. In mining, the metals used in batteries have significant environmental impacts on air and water. Anyone who studied high school chemistry will understand that metal ores are oxides and the oxide must be converted to the metal, using sources of carbon thus emitting carbon dioxide. Significant electrical and fossil fuel consumption is part of this process. How far does one have to drive to make up the difference? Finally, one needs to consider the source of battery materials. Graphite forms almost half of the weight of a battery and 100% of anode grade graphite comes from China. China also produces 85% of the rare earths used, particularly in EV motor magnets as well as some batteries. Approximately 70% of the cobalt used comes from the Congo where child labour is employed. All reasons why western governments call these critical or strategic materials. We also need to understand that a key issue here is energy density. For the long term, truck, rail and air transport will be fueled by liquid fuels for that reason. There is however, a positive direction here. Just as we see 10% ethanol in our gasoline, all diesel fuel must also contain renewable or bio-diesel and fortunately, there is very significant investment in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as well as diesel from biomass. Will EVs eventually play a role? Undoubtedly as battery technology improves, but today we can look at hybrids with smaller batteries and lower carbon footprints and the use of renewable fuels or alternatives like hydrogen or fuel cells.
I always look forward to reading your column every Friday morning in the Hamilton Spectator and my impression is that there are far more dishonest drivers than mechanics!
Wayne from Burlington
MY COMMENT
Thank you Wayne for being so specific in your explanation of why we have to take a very serious look at where we are going and what we have to consider in order to get there and not destroy our economy on the way.
Facts matter and the fact that you laid out the facts pertaining to our headlong rush into an alternative power source can create a situation where the supposed fix creates a bigger problem than we have now. No one is suggesting that we do nothing but I do suggest that we know the pros and cons of the alternatives that we seem to be rushing into and fix them before we get rid of the power source that has made us one of the most prosperous countries in the world.
To my readers: Please indicate the town, city or village that you live in. Be advised that unfortunately not all emails can be answered. Send your questions (including address) by email to: dennis.osullivan665@gmail.com