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I love technology. Love new discoveries and developments in science. I’m a proud and regular reader of Popular Science and Popular Mechanics. I’ve always enjoyed reading about new cars and I’m very happy to see the development of more and more electric cars on the market. I just have one question.
Where’s All the Electricity Coming From to Charge These Batteries?
I was reminded of this the other day when I heard a news blip on the radio about how our local power companies are saying they’re set for the summer power drain that always happens due to everyone running their AC in the house, putting additional demand on the power grid.
As more and more electric cars hit the market, that’s more and more cars plugged into the network grid sucking power up, causing more demand just like all those AC units. Can we handle that additional energy suck?
How will this additional power be compensated for in the grid? What will we use to generate more electricity to power these cars? Coal power plants? Doesn’t that kind of defeat the purpose? More wind farms? Solar farms?
I’m sure part of the answer is that yes, most of these cars will be recharging in the evenings when their is more power generally available to the grid. But since I also recently noticed a few charging “pumps” located in front row of the parking lot at our local mall, I’m reminded there will be plenty of cars “plugged-in” to the grid during the day as well.
My other question (guess that means I had more than one), is do we have the numbers on how much plugging your car in every night to charge will increase your electrical bill in your home? How will that increased cost compare to what you’re already paying for with our combustion engines at the gas pump?
