Take care of the environment and buy an electric car

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the environmental impact of electric cars compared to traditional petrol vehicles, exploring the feasibility of using electromagnetic induction for powering cars, and the implications of electricity generation methods on the overall environmental benefits of electric vehicles.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern for the environment and questions why electromagnetic induction cannot be used to power cars directly.
  • Another participant notes that hybrid cars, like the Toyota Prius, may be a better option and mentions that induction motors are used in pure electric cars.
  • A different participant challenges the notion of commercially viable electric cars, highlighting that electricity generation may rely on coal, thus questioning the environmental benefits of electric vehicles.
  • Suggestions are made for alternative vehicles, such as a Milk Float, which may have lower insurance and tax benefits, but also raises the issue of coal-powered electricity.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of electric cars, suggesting that they may not significantly differ from petrol cars in terms of environmental impact.
  • Another participant counters that hybrids can reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and suggests other environmentally-friendly driving practices.
  • Alternative modes of transportation, such as biking or walking, are proposed as more environmentally-friendly options.
  • A light-hearted comment is made about biking not being attractive to potential partners.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness and environmental impact of electric versus petrol cars, with no consensus reached on the best approach to environmentally-friendly transportation.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the implications of electricity generation methods on the environmental benefits of electric vehicles, but do not resolve the complexities of these relationships.

brandon26
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I am concerned about our environment, and do my best to keep it clean as much as possible.
I am going to buy a car soon, and I am looking for an electric car.

When I was doing my O'levels, I learned about electromagnetic induction, producing an electric current from changing magnetic field.
Why can't be use this method to run cars? So far, no one has attempted it!:mad:
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
Your best bet is probably a hybrid like the Toyota Prius.

Btw, electromagnetic induction is being utilized. Pure electric cars use induction motors.
 
And power is generated at the power plant via induction - So I'm not sure what you mean, Brandon.

AFAIK, there aren't any commercially viable electric cars, and even if there were, you need to charge the batteries, which depending on where you live, could just mean your car is coal powered instead of gas powered. Half the eletricity in the US comes from coal.
 
You could get a Milk Float! Tax exempt, low insurance, and loads of room on the back for crates of whatever you might want to carry around.

Pay attention, however, to Mr Watters' point that you'll probably just be burning coal to get your electricity.
 
Oh right. So it doesn't really make a difference. I might as well drive a normal petrol car then.
 
brandon26 said:
Oh right. So it doesn't really make a difference. I might as well drive a normal petrol car then.


Not at all. You could, as suggested, get a hybrid and use much less fuel, and therefore release more pollutants into the atmosphere. Or you could get a less polluting car. Or you could simply learn to drive in a more environmentally-friendly manner...
 
You could always ride a bike...or walk...
 
Bikes don't attract the girls hehe.
 

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