This EV Contradiction is a LIE - Here's the Truth

In this TEDx talk, Graham Conway, presents a case for Internal Combustion Engines in the age of EVs. As always, we look at the fact behind his claims to see where the truth really lives.

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[ariajames]

If you are not in the financial market space right now, you are making a huge mistake. I understand that it could be due to ignorance, but if you want to make your money work for you... prevent inflation

[bigdougscommentary]

He’s leaving the production and distribution of fossil fuels out of his CO2 calculations.

[terrya]

I have 8 years of living off the grid including charging a EV .

[evinthestix]

Yeah it seems to me the people who try to make the environmental case against EVs always leave out how much electricity was used to refine oil into gas

[ShawnGBR]

As a reminder:

TED = high-profile experts delivering talks at major conferences, usually based on peer-reviewed science.

TEDx = literally anyone that contacted the local event organizer can get on stage and say any contrary non-verified stuff they want.

[pdxmarine]

You may not be a huge anti hybrid guy, but I am.

2 separate powertrains that need to be maintained, and you have to use the gas in the tank every now and then because gas goes bad

[techringo]

To be honest, I did not switch to electric to reduce CO2. I wanted to reduce oil use. The most evil governments and regimes are almost all funded by oil. No one ever seems to talk about that. And since oil is a fungible, global resource and need, reducing our use will cause the money available to fund terrorism and other oppressive regimes to dry up.

The other thing is the electric line is not linear. The grid will continue to get cleaner so the BEV will become cleaner as it gets older. And ICE engine loses a bit of efficiency over time so an older car will probably pollute more over time. So the ICE and hybrid cars should curve slightly upwards, and the BEV should flatten over time. The time to start switching is now. The money wasted improving ICE efficiency would be much better spent improving BEV. Spending on improving ICE is just wasted.

[mikeshafer]

I have solar on my roof and battery storage. Las Vegas could lose power and I could still cool my house, cook my dinner and charge my cars, pretty much indefinitely. I have energy independence. How awesome is that? All homes should go for energy independence.

[shirey]

Well if anything. This TED talk shows just how fast EV tech is moving. His info. was out of date before the ink on his contract was dry.

[radiotec]

So, yeah, the EV that travel 280 miles and can recoup CO2 emissions after 60, 000 miles is not ready but capturing CO2 from a vehicle to create new fuel for the eternal combustion engine, which no one knows how to do, is ready. The old Lie-O-Meter is broken and needs to go back to the repair shop.

[ryanevans]

Here in Oklahoma 44% of our power is renewables and less than 6% is coal. And since wind picks up at night, it lines up well with charging habits.
Couple that with the 3-fold increase in motor efficiency over an ICE vehicle, and it’s a huge emissions & pollution benefit for my city.

[markmercieca]

Yes...a horse may emit the same amount as a Corvette but no mention of the waste and Methane they produce. In the 1800 there was 2000 Tons of waste of the streets every

[JensPilemandOttesen]

I charge both my EVs 100% from my roof. Except for road trips.
When they are full and power is free I let local EVs charge for free, instead of turning the panels off.

[PaleBlueDotCitizen]

The funny thing is he's a Brit and the UK produces only 1% of its electricity from coal now.

[fozzyrinker]

I really love how there is never the argument to add all the additional things involved in getting gas into a ICE vehicle. The gas has to be made, transported by large vehicles creating emissions, and then electricity is used to get the gas into the vehicles and run the stations. Adding that kind of data only seems fair.

[barrypatterson]

Dude went thru all this to cheerlead hybrids?... I owned a hybrid before my EV. Why would I ever go backwards?

[USUG]

the problem with PHEVs is that people are lazy, and most end up using them as regular hybrids.And that's why they are not optimized for max efficiency. Automakers take for granted customers will use them just as hybrids, without charging them, and engineer them accordingly.
In addition, almost all PHEVs on the market are ICE cars with an electric drivetrain strapped on. Instead, they should be engineered as EVs with a generator on board working at max efficiency.

[GeeDeeBird]

We charge our EVs with residential solar. But my major disagreement with the notion of better ICE engines, cleaner fuels - and even hybrids - is that you've still got more moving parts - valves, lifters, pistons, cam shafts, transmissions, fuel injectors, etc - and more consumables - belts, hoses, lubricants, engine coolants, and so on. This means ICEVs will, ultimately, cost more to produce, more to maintain, and they will never, ever be as energy efficient as an EV. Such proposals are a clever but of sophistry but, ultimately, are a bait and switch. They promise more, but deliver more of the same weaknesses. The simple fact is that EVs are the better choice for personal transportation. They may not ever be a better choice for large trucks, tractors or airplanes, but they are already the best choice for cars and light trucks (up to a ton). It's just a matter of continuing to improve and standardize batteries, motors and distribution methods, continuing to move to renewable electricity generation, and getting sufficient infrastructure in place. The future is now!

[restonthewind]

The best reasons for driving an EV have nothing to do with CO2 emissions from the tailpipe or anywhere else. If you believe that Global Warming is a hoax, you can still love an EV.

[WyattMullin]

My grid is 98% clean/renewable. Has been for years.