Land Policy Institute - Ask the Expert Forums

I am not an expert in your area of concern but would offer the following observations.  I suspect the move to electric cars is occuring not to reduce carbon emissions (although that may be the result) but is more in response to consumer demand due to increased gas prices.  Certainly a few would buy the electric cars because of the environmental ethic but most would buy to save a few dollars.  You are probably correct that the use of coal for generating electricity will cause this all to be wash. 

Perhaps an electric car can be designed that generates the power for the battery via solar cells on the roof.   Although more envronmentally friendly, I would think the cost would be excessive.  If, in fact, these cars are being built, not in response to an environmental concern but because they will now sell, then the increased cost using solar power versus coal would limit the sales.

As a suggestion, you may try and post the messages regarding electric cars in  the sustainability and energy forum or the transportation forum to get better more indepth responses.