One of these cars is not like the others…

Never have I have been so sheepish as when I got in my “dinosaur-powered” VW Jetta, after tonight’s PEI Electric Vehicle Association meeting, and rumbled off. While everyone else was alighting their silent electric cars and smoothly gliding home.

Comments

Oliver B's picture
Oliver B on June 21, 2019 - 03:19 Permalink

But they do say the meek shall inherit the Earth. The biggest impact of an auto often is the process by which it was manufactured, and because of the batteries this is especially true for electrics. You're enabling your Jetta's manufacturing impact to go a long way--longer than it would for an owner who didn't care for and maintain it to last, because he or she replaced their cars every few years...for instance to buy a hybrid or electric.

Elmine's picture
Elmine on June 21, 2019 - 04:42 Permalink

I was just about to make the same argument as Oliver B. The longer you use your car, the less overall impact it has on the environment. Keep driving it until it’s beyond repair!

Rosie's picture
Rosie on June 21, 2019 - 18:55 Permalink

Agree with Oliver B and Elmine. Those cars also burn dinosaurs, but indirectly (unless the wind is blowing). We won't solve capitalism with shiny status symbols! Though if you're feeling socially shamed, maybe a bumper sticker about the R-value of your house? ;)

Jarek's picture
Jarek on June 23, 2019 - 14:42 Permalink

(It might be worth noting that even when wind is not blowing, PEI electricity is substantially provided by New Brunswick's hydro, NB nuclear, and Quebec's hydro. NB exports' carbon intensity is around 300 gCOeq/kWh, which is more than the 160 g "Canadian average" in the graphic linked by Oliver B but much better than the 534 g U.S. average. But yes, keep a car working once it's been manufactured.)