Re: "Well to wheel" electric car efficiency


kasnem@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> According to a paper from ASU, the well-to-wheel efficiency of battery
> electric vehicle is about 76%, not 20%. (see
> http://www.modenergy.com/BEVs%20vs%20FCVs%20EavesEaves%20120603.pdf#search='bat
> tery%20electric%20vehicle')
>
<snip>

Since that paper assumes in the second paragraph that you already have
electricity as the "well", using its figures to compare battery
electric to fossil-fueled cars is pretty goofy.
You should at least multiply that figure by the average efficiencies of
existing fossil fuel powerplants. The most efficient are around 60%, I
understand, but I imagine the average would be somewhat lower.
It might be worthwhile noting that the 76% figure is for a Li-ion
battery, and not the less efficient, less expensive and more commonly
used lead-acid or Ni-MH battery chemistries.

Tim Ward

Tim Ward

.