Here's the latest rumor that's spreading like wildfire among the right-wing rubes here in West Virginia. They're certain they're "in on the scam".
"Electric cars pollute just as much as regular cars because all the pollution from cars comes from the brake pads. Electric cars have brake pads like every car so they pollute just as much."
Sigh. This is, of course, ridiculously wrong in two different ways but it's the latest "the liberals are scamming everyone" rumor here in West Virginia.
@trinsec Of course it's not true. It's doubly untrue. Not only are brake pads not the source of pollution that matters, CO2, but conventional brakes on an EV are only used for hard stops and panic stops. EVS use regenerative braking that generates electricity and recharges the battery every time you apply the brakes.
@shuttersparks @trinsec But-but enslaved children are mining the minerals.. or some other excuse. Bottom line, many just can't afford an EV, & inertia is powerful.
@Nazani @shuttersparks @trinsec There is still a long waiting list to get an EV. Demand has only slowed a little bit, while demand for new gas cars has tanked.
We went with a plug-in hybrid due both to lack of availability of EVs and the thin charging network.
@andytiedye @shuttersparks @trinsec I will probably get a hybrid, too. For local use I'd be fine with an EV, but there still is a possibility I would have the need to drive through parts of the US where charging stations are scarce.
@Nazani @shuttersparks @trinsec Plug-in hybrids can run as EVs for local trips, and switch to gas when they need to. Seems like the best of both worlds.
@shuttersparks break pads do release metals. Tires release chemicals like microplastics and 6PPD. This will be true of conventional or electric vehicles. Electric vehicles also have issues involved with mining lithium and some of the other heavy metals, as well as disposal.
However, electric vehicles have significantly less tailpipe emissions, including CO2 (greenhouse gas), toxic VOCs and SVOCs, and particulate matter. And NOx.
But, in terms of tailpipe emissions, electric cars are a lot cleaner, better for the environment, and better for air quality in general.
@shuttersparks East to West coasts? Too many dummies. Arctic Circle pumping more CO2 & CH4 then humans! Humans triggered the nightmare. I dread the day that it falls apart. To be in a world where people cannot except science? I just hope I don’t stumble upon one of those uninformed people.
Somebody needs to go back to basic science class in junior high school. Eeeeeeeeef.
Science! Like magic, only it's real!
@shuttersparks so pathetic. Seems to be really aimed at the undereducated, Trump’s favorite demographic.
@shuttersparks 🤨 🤣
Oh gods that's.. just too ridiculous to be true.