In today’s fast paced world we, that is the “global” we, are looking at a multitude of ways to solve a multitude of problems that exist in the world. One of those problems for U.S. citizens is the dependency on foreign oil. The good news, at least for electric car manufacturers and buyers, is that a recent study from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy says that electric vehicles (EVs) have more effect on reducing imports of oil and emissions than a national mandate for renewable energy.
The study is targeted to study the consequences of an emerging U.S. Carbon Management Policy and brings some interesting conclusions to the table. Released during a two-day conference, the findings show that if 30 percent of all vehicles were EVs by 2050, then the U.S would see a reduction in oil usage by 2.5 million barrels a day and a decrease in emissions by seven percent. In contrast, a national mandate for renewable energy (public policy) would only cut emissions by only four percent over the same period. According to the study, “The single most effective way to reduce US oil demand and foreign imports would be an aggressive campaign to launch electric vehicles into the automotive fleet.”
The full report can be read on the Baker Institute website and includes additional analysis that shows the potential for greater oil and natural gas self-sufficiency over the next 20 years if society continued “business-as-usual,” Of course, there is no one answer, but auto makers like Nissan, GM, Tesla, BYD and others should be encouraged by the studies findings that their products could have significant and positive environmental impacts.
[Source: alttransport.com]
