Question by Breath on the Wind: Are engineered biofuels better than electric cars?
A recent poster received a best answer for this response: “Scientists today are developing algae and switchgrass biofuel, which multiply by themselves and cut emissions by 100% and will not interfere with food growth, as they do not need to farmed. when this biofuel comes out into the gas stations, i guaratee [sic] they will be cheaper than conventional oil and electricity cars” http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjYckZNEV3b8F8qCUEA8w5Tsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20100810153527AAWAICh&show=7#profile-info-wKumqiZnaa Do you find these claims credible considering:

–”developing” is another name for genetic engineering
–if a species would truly multiply “by itself” without needing to be farmed it is likely to become an invasive species in the environment: a major concern for crops that have already been genetically modified.
–don’t humans already eat algae products? At least we presently eat things that depend upon existing algae. Any plant that can be modified for fuel could be modified for food. Even if it does not compete wit an existing food source it will certainly displace a future one.
–a 100% reduction in emissions? How is any fuel burned in an internal combustion engine that is only about 15% efficient going to eliminate emissions? Just compressing the air alone and exposing it to heat produces NOX a source of smog.
–Is it likely that any fuel can compete with an electric vehicle that is likely to be over 90% efficient? If we were to electrify our roadways we wouldn’t even need batteries.
—-Some might suggest this is a way to sequester carbon dioxide, but it would only be a method to cycle it. Once the fuel is burned it would be released again along with NOX and other pollutants from an incomplete burn.
Your thoughts?
Mrwizard, If the 100% reduction refers to “net emissions:” the cycle from raw material to fuel the claim is much larger than imagined. 100% is still a claim to eliminate all emissions.

The efficiency of the the electric vehicle has nothing to do with the source of its power. A power plant does not have wheels it is not a vehicle. The electric vehicle system only will be affected by the power source. I can always take my electric car into the garage and leave it running and close the doors. It is a zero emission vehicle.

It is a logical mistake to compare ICE vehicles to power plants. They are apples and oranges. Compare one system to another or power plants to refineries.

If you insist upon comparing solar electric to an ICE you will find that the ICE is less than 25% efficient and because it requires a transmission to be useful it is less than 15% efficient at the wheels of a vehicle. Solar panels are now available that are 24% efficient.
see: http://www.gizmag.com/sunpower-corp-solar-cell-efficiency-record/15536/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=a7ccead770-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email

Your NEV will go so far using heavy batteries and a light engine with no transmission. Your car requires not only fuel at about 7# per gallon but an engine and transmission weighing hundreds of pounds.
Thanks to those who have taken the time t respond.

Best answer:

Answer by mrwizard9090
the reduction in emissions refers to net emissions. the cycle from raw material to fuel, back to raw material. also known as renewable.

the efficiency of an electric vehicle derives directly from the efficiency of the source of the electricity, as influenced by the vehicles conversion of electric energy into motion.

internal combustion engines suck(15-25% fuel to motion). electric power plants are better, but they still suck(40-50% fuel to electricity). solar to electric vehicle would be lots better, if you didn’t have too far to go. solar to electric is even worse than internal combustion, except for the “free” fuel.

the big advantage of internal combustion is the portability and transportability of large quantities of energy. my NEV, neighborhood electric vehicle, will go about 25 miles on a full charge, using batterires that weigh hundreds of pounds. my internal combustion engine minivan will take me 25 miles on about 10 pounds of gasoline.

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