Seems others too, are outing the hype about `clean` electric vehicles:
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2014/05/ ... ted-topic/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Here is the “Executive Summary†from the very lengthy Climate Central report:
An electric car is only as good for the climate as the electricity used to power it. And in states that rely heavily on fossil fuels like coal and natural gas for their electricity there are many conventional and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that are better for the climate than all-electric cars today.
But that is just part of the story. Another critical factor is the carbon emissions generated when a car is manufactured. Emissions from producing the battery and other electrical components create a 10,000 to 40,000-pound carbon debt for electric cars that can only be overcome after tens, or even hundreds of thousands of miles of driving and recharging from clean energy sources.
This comprehensive state-by-state analysis of the climate impacts of the electric car, plug-in hybrid electrics, and high-mileage, gas-powered hybrid cars takes both of these factors into account – the source of energy used to power the car and carbon emissions from vehicle manufacturing.
We found:
In 40 states, a high-efficiency, conventional gas-powered hybrid, like the Toyota Prius, is better for the climate (produces fewer total “lifecycle†carbon emissions) than the least-polluting, all-electric vehicle, the Honda Fit, over the first 50,000 miles the car is driven.
In 26 states, an efficient plug-in hybrid is the most climate-friendly option (narrowly outperforming all-electrics in 10 states, assuming a 50:50 split between driving on gas and electric for the plug-in hybrid), and in the other 24 states, a gas-powered car is the best. All- electrics and plug-in hybrids are best in states with green electrical grids with substantial amounts of hydro, nuclear and wind power that produce essentially no carbon emissions. Conventional hybrids are best in states where electricity comes primarily from coal and natural gas.
For luxury sedans, in 46 states, the gas-powered Lexus ES hybrid is better for the climate than the electric Tesla Model S, over the first 100,000 miles the car is driven.
So, Carbon Debt means that you have to cover more than 100,000 miles before the electrickery starts to offer advantage? All arguments for electric vehicles are ludicrous, baseless and simply hype. Technology needs to mature, but mostly it's the proponents of that technology that need to grow up. Electrically-powered vehicles may have certain short-term advantages (and it really is short, given the battery range...) but ICE is a long way from outmoded. Yet.

No door is closed to an open mind.
Except a closed door, which a mind can't open, but even a stupid hand can.