Study: Hybrids, electrics equally green in Chicago area

For environmentally conscious Chicagoans weighing whether to purchase an electric or a hybrid, both affect the environmental equally, according to a new study released Monday. While electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions, they draw their power from the electric grid, which is powered by fuel sources that can produce global warming emissions and other pollutants. While the Chicago region receives 41 percent of its power from low-emitting nuclear power plants, coal still makes up 43 percent of the area’s energy mix, delivered by Commonwealth Edison Co. According to the report, Chicagoans are among the 37 percent of Americans that live in an area where an electric vehicle yield global warming emissions that are equivalent of that of a 41 to 50 mpg rated hybrid, such as the Honda Civic or Toyota Prius. I-GO car sharing service is building out solar-powered charging stations available to the public in Chicago.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-04-16/news/chi-study-hybrids-electrics-equally-green-in-chicago-area-20120416_1_electric-grid-electric-vehicle-twitter-littlewern