Greenpeace opposed to nuclear and coal powered electric vehicles

You might think that Greenpeace would love the idea of electric cars, but you'd be sadly mistaken. Greenpeace Germany's Wolfgang Lohbeck spoke at last week's "The New Automobile" conference and focused on the "remote tailpipe" associated with EVs. As is widely known, EVs move the emissions away from the vehicle to a stationary location which is typically easier to control. Lohbeck's criticism focused on coal and nuclear power, which are currently among the biggest sources of electricity. If there is one thing Greenpeace hates more than whaling ships it's nuclear power plants.

Power generators weren't Lohbeck's only target. Automakers were taken to task for consistently using more efficient powertrain technology to improve performance instead of cutting fuel consumption. Vehicles today have lower specific fuel consumption compared to those developed two decades ago, but overall fuel consumption hasn't changed dramatically as power levels have doubled. Since Lohbeck doesn't see either EVs or internal combustion as solutions, what's the answer? Probably to drive less, have fewer vehicles on the road, use public transit, walk and cycle.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]