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Originally Posted by bigblau
Personally I like the Volt, but I would never purchase one. Just some more food for thought. If the world goes from petrol based automobiles to electric or some sort of hybrid what, if any, are the health risks associated with the electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by these vehicles' electric motors? Will the health risks outweigh the health risks of the polluting gases emitted by current fossil fuel powered cars? Currently there are no regulations in the United States concerning occupant exposure levels of EMF.
I was just wondering when the EPA will find a need to have manufacturers certify their electric/hybrid vehicles to inform consumers of the EMF levels emitted by these vehicles? Or are the risks to exposure of EMF acceptable considering that in "...1996, a U.S. Federal Court ruled that citizens may not bring suit against electric power companies over electromagnetic radiation emissions." Will drivers be able to sue car manufacturers for health problems they feel where caused by driving their vehicles?
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One would expect to see a significant uptick in cancers and other ailments among populations that are already being exposed. This would include linemen, subway engineers, railway engineers, etc., who are working around rather large electric motors or other equipment generating large magnetic fields. To my knowledge there aren't any known links. I would suggest worrying about dying in a car wreck than EMF from a motor.
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Originally Posted by bigblau
IMO, I think this electric car stuff is just a fad. It provides government and consumers with the opportunity to feel good about themselves for the moment. Currently electric cars are viewed as world saviors. Once the price of oil goes down soccer moms will go back to driving their SUVs, the stock market will rise, the government will be taxing our CO2 emissions to help pay for the Wallstreet bailout and the world will finally go back to normal again. 
Electric Fields Can Kill
LHC Factsheet - EMFs - Electromagnetic fields |
Electric cars are more efficient than internal combustion, end of argument. Yes, petroleum, LNG, and other chemical fuels are more energy dense than existing batteries, but the whole problem is that there is massive loss of that energy when it is converted into work. Heat, noise, friction from all the gearing, transmissions, and so on, all waste a lot of that energy. With electricity you have none of those problems - electrons create a magnetic field, that spins a magnet, the magnet spins the wheel, and away you go.
As for the CO2 taxes, don't think any money will go to the housing bailout. Everyone knows this is the UN's biggest business opportunity, ever.
