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What does it mean to have electric cars replace carbon fueled cars?

The fallacy of one car per person makes an unlivable world and means extinction of species and an end to bio-diversity as we know it.

The transportation model of the 20th century is obsolete. Electric cars have a carbon footprint two-thirds of standard vehicles in their operation, and necessitate an increase in nuclear, coal-fired, and hydro power plants. Does is make sense to dam the rivers of British Columlbia so the veritable Mississippi of privately-owned individual vehicles can continue to flow between traffic jams from rush hour to rush hour?

Electric cars likely to lead to more CO2 because of EU legal loopholes Thursday, November 12, 2009

Electric cars can play a role in cutting Europe’s carbon emissions but current EU legislation contains loopholes that are likely to lead to emissions and oil use going up, according to a new report published today by Transport & Environment.

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso called in September for transport to be ‘decarbonised’, highlighting the development of electric cars as a key aim. (1)

Binding EU targets for car CO2 emissions agreed last December include ‘supercredits’ that enable carmakers to sell up to 3.5 gas-guzzling SUVs for every electric vehicle they sell and still reach their official EU target. Electric cars are also counted as ‘zero emissions’ despite the fact that the electricity they use can come from high-carbon fossil fuels such as coal. (2)

The combined effect of these loopholes would be that carmakers who choose to market electric cars to meet EU targets, would have to do less to reduce emissions of conventional cars. The overall effect would be higher CO2 emissions and oil use.

Supercredits are also included in legislation proposed last month to improve the CO2 emissions of vans.

Transport & Environment is calling for current and future loopholes to be dropped and CO2 / fuel efficiency standards to be tightened further.

The report argues that industry and policymakers have relied in the past on distant ‘dream’ technologies to solve environmental problems rather than setting targets for CO2 emissions and fuel efficiency. Hydrogen, biofuels, and earlier interest in electric cars all came to nothing for different reasons but what they have in common is that they all distracted policymakers from forcing carmakers to improve fuel efficiency across the board.

Jos Dings, director of Transport & Environment said: “The game for policymakers is cutting emissions and reducing our dependence on oil, not promoting electric cars. The EU must not take its eye off the ball again, and get distracted by technological hype. For electric cars to be a success for the environment, and for the industry, pressure on fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions for all cars must be kept up. Promoting electric cars without maintaining pressure on fuel efficiency standards, will kill any chance of success.”

The report also examines the implications of electric cars for the power sector. It argues that the EU needs to think hard about how it will ensure that the extra demand for electricity is met through renewable electricity and not more dirty coal. It notes that every car will need to be fitted with ‘smart meter’ technology to measure how much electricity is being consumed, and where that electricity came from.

Download the report

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• Become a letter writing campaigner Companies and businesses take notice what you, as a customer, say and want! Much of our member's daily work involves getting as many people as possible to write or email those in power to influence their decisions and show them strength of public opinion.

• Lobby politicians and companies Our member organizations frequently need to exert prtessure on politicians and many ECOBC member groups are well placed to bring this about. You could help them in a variety of ways; you could make personal visits to your MLAs/MPs constituency offices or write letters or emails.

• Campaign through your local media Writing letters to local newspapers and contacting community radio phone-in programmes are excellent ways you could help us get our campaign messages out to a wider audience. And don't forget us -- send us your local news, your tips for journalists, your blogs!

• Get Active with others in your town or region ECOBC, as a Canadian provincial affiliate iof the Canadian Environmental Network is a network-of-networks of more than million activists all over the country, including our own ECOBC member groups who are always looking for new members. These groups are made up of people from a wide variety of backgrounds and interests and are invaluable in helping deliver campaign successes.

• Help at events such as workshops, filmnights, campouts Each year ECOBC members participate in high profile local, regional and national events. Our member groups always need volunteers who can help out to do things such as staffing information points, talking to the public about logging or fishing or pollution or any number of environmental concerns and their campaigns for change. Groups are always looking for enthusiastic stewards and folks eager to distribute education campaign materials.

• Fundraise for ECOBC Member Groups To remain completely independent some member groups do not solicit donations from companies and governments which means the support of individuals is extremely important to them. They are always looking for people who are interested in helping raise money and get new supporters to join them. CLICK HERE . Maybe you'd like to host a fundraising event for a group - you are only limited by your imagination! Alternatively, check out our Events Calendar to find the location to the one nearest you!

• Become trained in and participate in non-violent direct actions There are many opportunities for you to participate in direct actions to help progress campaigns in BC. Before you can get involved in direct actions member groups will ensure that you have been properly trained and are fully aware of our movement's core value of non-violence. There are many opportunities for you to participate in direct actions to help progress campaigns in BC. Before you can get involved in direct actions member groups will ensure that you have been properly trained and are fully aware of our movement's core value of non-violence.

Thank you for your interest in becoming an active supporter!

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