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thstone · 06-22-2013, 01:42 PM

I'm with Eric on this one. Electric cars like the Tesla S are a novelty for the 2%'ers. Maybe this will change, maybe not. Its hard to predict the future.

My only additional comment on this subject is about battery manufacturing and battery recycling. I can't imagine a process that is more unfriendly to the environment. Maybe an open pit toxic waste dump - and that's only a maybe.

Anyone who talks about "clean battery recycling" has never actually visited such a facility. Every dangerous chemical has another equally dangerous chemical used to neutralize the first one. Then a third to neutralize the second. Yes, the process produces successively less toxic materials, but the byproducts are also still quite toxic.

The other approach is to throw the whole battery into an incinerator and cook it down to its elemental components. Good idea, except for the poisonous gases that cook off and have to be treated with .... more toxic chemicals.

This is the electric car's dirty secret that no one wants to talk about.

06-22-2013, 01:42 PM	#14
thstone Certified Boxster Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 7,669	I'm with Eric on this one. Electric cars like the Tesla S are a novelty for the 2%'ers. Maybe this will change, maybe not. Its hard to predict the future. My only additional comment on this subject is about battery manufacturing and battery recycling. I can't imagine a process that is more unfriendly to the environment. Maybe an open pit toxic waste dump - and that's only a maybe. Anyone who talks about "clean battery recycling" has never actually visited such a facility. Every dangerous chemical has another equally dangerous chemical used to neutralize the first one. Then a third to neutralize the second. Yes, the process produces successively less toxic materials, but the byproducts are also still quite toxic. The other approach is to throw the whole battery into an incinerator and cook it down to its elemental components. Good idea, except for the poisonous gases that cook off and have to be treated with .... more toxic chemicals. This is the electric car's dirty secret that no one wants to talk about. __________________ 1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more 1997 Spec Boxster BSR #254 1979 911 SC POC Licensed DE/TT Instructor Last edited by thstone; 06-22-2013 at 01:51 PM.