Report: Electric Cars Best Way To Reduce U.S. Oil Dependancy

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Contributing Writer BIO

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield is a self-confessed petrol head. She grew up in a carless family but was able at a very early age to name cars passing her on... More

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Nissan's 50Kw Charger for the 2011 Nissan Leaf.

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We like it when a study confirms a common-held belief. And for hundreds of would-be electric car owners across the U.S. a recent study has done just that. 

Years into the Military Conflict in the Middle East, and just months after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill a team at Rice University have concluded that electric cars could do more to reduce America’s carbon footprint than complicated renewable energy policy. 

The study, which was conducted at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, found that mandating 30% of all U.S. vehicles be powered by electricity by 2050 would reduce demand on oil more than current complicated energy policies. 

The report has been prepared to be presented at a conference devoted to studying the consequences of an emerging U.S Carbon Management Policy. 

Big Oil

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Shockingly, a carbon tax of $30 per tonne would actually increase U.S. dependence on foreign liquefied natural gas (LPG). While carbon emissions and oil dependancy would be cut the solution would replace one fossil fuel for another. 

However, mandating 30% of all U.S. vehicles to be electric would both reduce U.S. oil use by 2.5 million barrels a day and cut carbon emissions by 7%, even if the current power station generating mix were maintained. 

The U.S. would only reduce carbon emissions by 4% if it were to implement proposed national renewable standards aimed to increase the amount of carbon-free resources used to generate power in the U.S. 

What does this all mean for the car buyer? Will policymakers listen to the report?

Could the U.S. achieve oil independence by 2030?

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But regardless of how policymakers act, the electric vehicle industry must also work to increase performance, range and price. 

Ultimately, the public image of the electric car needs to continue to improve, driven by high quality, reliable vehicles and lower purchase costs. 

In an ideal world, the combined effect of a mandate to increase electric vehicle adoption and investment in home-produced micro-generation, such as domestic solar panels and wind turbines would result in the greatest impact. 

[Reuters]