by Viv Forbes

Two green-dream fantasies are heading for a massive and costly collision.

Firstly they dream of generating all grid power from wind/solar propped up by battery storage (such as lots of giant Tesla batteries and pumped hydro).

Secondly they dream of replacing all petrol/diesel/gas cars, trucks and buses with electric vehicles, powered by more batteries. (more…)

By Viv Forbes

Entrepreneur Barrie Rogers is planning to import and then manufacture electric aircraft in Australia which he says “. . . don’t rely on fossil fuels.” The Australian 21 Feb 2020.

Where will he get steel, aluminium, lithium, copper, nickel, graphite, cobalt, rare earths, plastics and lubricants for his motors, batteries, aircraft bodies and recharging stations without the hydro-carbons so necessary to mine, refine and manufacture them?

By Duggan Flanakin

Should Americans follow China in a massive commitment to supposedly eco-friendly battery-electric buses (BEBs)? California has mandated a “carbon-free” bus system by 2040 and will buy only battery or fuel cell-powered buses after 2029. Other states and cities are following suit.

Vehicle decisions are typically based on cost and performance. Cost includes selling price plus maintenance, while performance now includes perceived environmental impacts – which for some is the only issue that matters. But that perception ignores some huge ecological (and human rights) issues. (more…)