Every time I hear someone complain about California's automobile pollution laws, I tell them to compare L.A.'s air with Mexico City. Mexico is a good example of what you would have with lax air laws.

I would be interested in hearing how going electric is greenwashing. Studies that I have seen conclude that electric is better than gas, even considering the pollution emitted by the pertinent power plants. This may be even more true of Mexico City, assuming that the pollution controls on cars there don't come near U.S. standards. On the other hand, one would also have to consider the mix of power plants feeding those cars and the pollution controls on those plants. Until there is a full study done of the situation in Mexico, I think it is premature to conclude that this EV effort is greenwashing. In any event, it would seem that the specific locale of Mexico City would benefit. As it is, it is one of the most polluted and unhealthy cities in the world.

Beyond that, I think Mexico City might demonstrate the idea that tons of automobiles in a city with that particular profile is incompatible with a decent environment regardless of what they do. Mexico City should have the ultimate goal of removing virtually all autos from the city. Just another case of so called superior beings (the human type) fouling their own nest.

In other news, the auto companies are challenging the attempt by Vermont and others to adopt California's rules to cut carbon dioxide. On the one hand, they tell us about all this great new technology they are working on; on the other, they resist attempts to make real progress tooth and nail. Congress needs to step in soon to fix this mess, rather than let this thing drag out through the courts. Of course, there is also the little problem that Bush is still in the White House. But yeh, he claims he is making progress. If he can just figure out where to put that electric plug.

Oh, and this time I'm not simply bashing GM. Toyota has joined this suit; I guess they're concerned someone might cut into their Tundra sales. It is critical that we be able to drive multi ton trucks like they are Porsche. And oh yeh, you never can tell when you might have to stop from going over a cliff at 70 mph.

Natural gas? On the particulate front, that would seem like an improvement. On the greenhouse side, it is not so clear. Methane itself is much more potent than carbon dioxide.

Why would CNG be better than electricity as far as energy security? Where is this CNG coming from and where is the fossil fuel to power the electric plants coming from?

I agree, any combustion type engine is prone to the fuel shortages/availability problems that are facing the world with gasoline. Electricity is the obvious choice even though the battery issues have not been fully resolved. By the way, does anyone know the types of batteries going into these conversions? Are they DC or AC conversions?

I lived near Mexico City for three years, and have visited several times since leaving 25 years ago. This effort is a drop in the proverbial bucket, but you gotta start somewhere. If you were to drive down a major thoroughfare, e.g., Insurgentes Blvd., watching the diesel buses spewing more fumes than a 100 MW power plant, you'd get an idea of the magnitude of the problem.

LA is cleaner than Mexico City for one simple reason -- the United States is rich enough to mandate polution controls without causing massive social unrest. People would rather breath bad air than go hungry. That's why there are 25 million people in Mexico City, and the same is true for hundreds of other cities in the developing world.

Fortunately, we can all benefit from the electrification of transportation systems, including mass transit and personal EVs, which is happening in the developed world. But they'll have to wait until it's cheap enough before they'll get any significant benefit. That may take another 5-10 years before the transition can begin, and 20 years after that to complete.

MUY BIEN PERO NO JALAN IGUAL YO DIGO

Re: Electric vehicles - Some GM history during the 1940 's GM Plotted to have the electric trolley taken off the streets and the tracks ripped up. They did succede in stopping the development of the electric motor. They however paid A few million dollars in fines (I don't know the exact wording or charges) as they were found quilty of bribery or fraud. They evidently recognised the advantage of the electric motor and acknowledge it by taken this action. (This is on record and well known fact) Next: At the time the first Japanese imports were coming into california there was A major interview with Mr. Smith CEO of GM. It made the financial section of the Sunday New York Times. After reading through the rantings of Mr. Smith on how the small import would never sell etc. In the very last paragraph (even an editor doesn't read that deep into an article) They quoted Mr Smith saying "Besides we are GM.We make , manufacture and sell over 50% of the autos in the world. They will buy what we manufacture." ATTITUDE !!!
The answer: I do not buy GM, Ford or Chrysler products.
A patriotic american who protest tariffs and subsidies alike.

George

Richard,

If we really want to reduce greenhouse gases we'll need to choose the most economical solutions. After all, economics is the study of how best to use scarce resources. So I don't think mahonj's comment is inappropriate for this blog. Also, economic analysis takes into account the longer life of an electric motor (lifecycle cost analysis).

The solution to any optimization problem depends on how you define the objective function. Maximum reduction of pollution and GHG per dollar spent seems like common sense IMO.

Sergio, los coches electricos pueden jalar igual de rapido; el problema ahora es la distancia.

1 week ago I voted against GM by buying Japanese made Toyota Echo. My last car was Chevrolet. I would definitely go with american car if I didn't know all their dirty tricks how to keep public on gus guzzlers. There are many
people like me who feel that Gm and alike make a big misfavour to America by influencing young generation to go with their muscle cars. Car companies of such magnitude
should be more responsible in what they preach.
Alex.

and in the final Analysis,there is only one SURE Way to solve these Problems,QUIT Multiplying like Rats,you human Idiots!!

Just letting everyone know. THe motors being installed in these tsurus are similar or more powerfull that a comparable gas 120hp motor. So this means that the cars will have better performance than they did before. Supposedly they are using lead acid batteries.