Unclean power plants are still vastly more efficient than the most efficient internal combustion engines. That's why trains are electric wherever possible.
I don't think so.
> That's why trains are electric wherever possible.
1. Thing is, you don't have to refuel electric locomotives, so that saves time and logistics. Unless you plan to install a pantograph on the roof of your Tesla, you still have to refuel it.
2. Unlike cars, diesel locomotives do not use any kind of direct transmission anyway, they generate electricity from Diesel engines to power electric motors. Because unlike cars, they have to transmit huge power and torque to make the first wheels turns, and mechanical transmissions are not good for that, but electric engines are. So since they use electric engines anyway, why not power them from electrical energy instead of diesel? That's why locomotives are electrical wherever possible.
Most calculations I've seen seem to conclude electric are more CO2 efficient per mile; from 2 to 9 times depending on which state is producing the power.
I'm an automotive engineer specializing in hybrid vehicle powertrains. Published and everything.
As of two years ago the only country in the world where the power source makes an EV not worthwhile, well-to-wheel emissions-wise, was India. Every other country in the world has clean enough power production to make EV cars an environmental net positive.
And I believe India's power is getting much cleaner over the next few years, so it may not be the case much longer.