Quoted from robertmee:That's interesting, thanks. I had no idea that Oregon was that far into alternative energy conversion. Impressive. I can see how west coast cities with the wind and sun availability as well as open lands to build solar and wind farms are oit pacing us on the east. I just wonder how the more densely populated areas in the mid and north east will be able to make those transitions.
Given the peaks and troughs in the power grid, smart charging setups can actually decrease the amount of "reserve" power generation needed. All the plugged in cars and batteries around the grid can then supply the power that was banked at non-peak times when there is need.
I visited one of our hydroelectric dams last year that was built in ~1980. They STILL have not needed to add their third generator, AND they essentially let water through without generating power most nights just to keep the river running. Not every location has such an abundance of hydroelectric power, but that and other renewables are ready to take up the additional need for power from electric vehicles as they roll out.
As stated above it is a question of when (and the exact rate) not IF. I see dozens of electric cars on my city's roads every day, the Nissan leaf has to be one of the most common cars on our roads.
