I’m from a US state where we don’t pump our own gas. Since I don’t pump my own gas regularly - only when I’m out of state - I’m not exactly sure when this happened, but all gas pumps seem to play ads now while the pump runs. At least the states adjacent to mine. Like can I not even pump gas in peace? Stop trying to manipulate my purchasing decisions 24/7.
Edit: ok I get it, there’s a mute button. I appreciate the tip, but people are already reporting that it only sometimes works. Knowing there’s a mute button that sometimes functions doesn’t make me less infuriated
Well, think of it as positive engagement to stop buying gasoline vehicles.
Last I checked electric still required a significant amount of emissions for power generation. Only the car itself is “clean” energy. There is also a significant amount of emissions in manufacturing the electric car. I believe we should start phasing out gas cars asap and build a more green power grid. Personally, I bought a used gas car which I believe is more economic and better for the environment than a new gas car. And I live in a more walkable area now, so I do much more walking than I used to. I know I’m still contributing to the problem, but I’m trying to be better.
EVs powered by fossil fuels still result in less emissions than ICE vehicles, since the big turbines in power plants are more efficient than the tiny engine in a car. But walking or taking public transportation is of course a lot better than both.
If you charge overnight, the base load is less likely to be fossil fuel. If it is fossil fuel, emission controls on a power plant are far more effective than anything with wheels.
The average car emits 400g CO2 per mile
https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/greenhouse-gas-emissions-typical-passenger-vehicle#driving
My power company emits 364g per kWh, which will take an EV about 3 miles. So that’s ~120g CO2 per mile, one third of a gasoline car.
https://www.climatiq.io/data/emission-factor/65ad9f91-28a1-45b2-bbab-3dcdd5de6a46
That’s the total mix- natural gas is the primary peak fuel so charging at night is likely less than 100g/mile
I agree - I’m not expert but I know that the mining of rare earth metals and the disposal of some EV components are problematic. It’s not a perfect solution.
That said, better solutions such as fuel cells or hydrogen are still 10-15 years away, and “better” shouldn’t be the enemy of perfect. I’m not particularly car proud and cars tend to last me twelve-fifteen years so I went for an EV hoping that an even better tech will be available by the time I need a car next time round.