The Energy Equation

Recently I have been thinking about replacing my car; a 2003 Chevy Geo Tracker 4x4. I would like to get something that has better mileage. Seems like the manufacturer's main approach for getting better mileage is to make their cars smaller and lighter. Yet, the power plant is essentially the same as it was 75 years ago. Sorry -- making cars smaller, changing to fuel injectors, and adding computerized controls does not equal fundamental change.

I don't like "small" cars. At the end of the day they make me feel like a pretzel. When my butt is below my knees, I have trouble climbing up to get out.  Smaller, is just not better - for me.

Electric cars may be the new technology. I have some interest in the hybrid and all-electric alternatives even if they may be yet unproven. I do have strong reservations about whether or not they might really solve energy and pollution problems. I don't think we have all the facts and figures to prove them to be a better.

One thing I would like to see is the "Energy Equation". Does an electric car really save energy and pollute less than one that uses gasoline or diesel? I don't have enough information to tell.

What I need is an end-to-end assessment of the energy and pollution involved. You can't just jump into your electric car and start driving. The electric energy has to come from somewhere. A lot has to happen leading up to the recharge. You have to make the electricity and transmit it to where you can plug in. What is the total cost (in Joules of energy and tons of pollutants)? How much does it take to find the coal, dig the coal, burn the coal to make electricity, and transmit it across the power grid before finally consuming it to drive perhaps 500 miles. Compare that with similar costs for prospecting for oil, pumping it, refining it, transporting it and finally driving the same 500 miles.

Have we merely moved the pollution from the tailpipe to the generator or refinery? What about the ecological costs of mining? And, how about the handling and safe disposal  of extremely poisonous substances like Lithium for making the batteries?

I suspect that there are strong political and business interests behind all theses things. And, likie usual, the most interesting stuff is not on the surface where it can be easily seen.

Someone, please show me the figures?