The claim
E-charging stations are powered by diesel generators and would therefore cause just as much damage to the environment as combustion engines.
Our conclusion
In many cases, the accusation that the e-charging stations were powered by diesel generators was not true. The AFP fact check found out about the picture in question that the generator in the picture serves as an emergency power generator for the airport terminal and is not connected to the charging station.
A picture is currently circulating on social networks with a charging station for electric vehicles and a diesel generator visible in the background. The claim is that the charging station would be powered by a diesel generator and would therefore cause just as much damage to the environment as combustion engines.
The published image has already been covered in a fact check by the AFP . They found out that it was a charging station near the airport in El Paso, Texas. Unfortunately, the airport did not respond to AFP's request. However, a spokesman for Blink, a charging station-listed company, denied the allegations. The charging station would not be powered by the generator, but would only serve as an emergency power supply for the terminal. The generator is only used in an emergency if the main power fails.
We have already received an increasing number of similar inquiries
In May 2018, a Sharepic with a charging station and a container with a chimney visible behind it was tested at the Hotel Burg Warberg. Here too there was the same accusation that the charging station was powered by a diesel engine. At Mimikama's request, we learned from the hotel that there was a pellet heater in the container, which, in addition to the basic heating, helped to heat Warberg Castle in winter. In summer, this mobile heater would be used to heat the water in the outdoor pool.
In May 2019, the same allegations were made against Stadtwerke Mühlhausen . Here too, Mimikama found out that the allegations are not true. The municipal utilities assured that there was no connection between the emergency generator and the e-charging station. The existing unit is a mandatory safety requirement for every certified municipal utility, which is only used in an emergency.
In September 2019, there was an inquiry about a sharepic in which the claim was made that the ÖAMTC would charge broken down electric cars with a diesel engine. Here Mimikama was able to find out that it was not a diesel engine, but rather a very large power bank with which the electric cars can be made roadworthy again in around 20 minutes.
Our research into the diesel generators in May 2019 at the Formula E Grand Prix in Rome showed that they actually have to generate some electricity from generators because the normal power grid cannot provide enough energy for all the cars. According to research, however, these generators run on vegetable glycerin, which is said to be less harmful than diesel.
Conclusion
In many cases, the accusation that the e-charging stations were powered by diesel generators was not true. The AFP fact check found out about the picture in question that the generator was intended to serve as an emergency power generator for the airport terminal and was not connected to the charging station.
Source:
AFP
Our articles on this topic:
Tesla charging station with large diesel generator?
This is not a diesel engine!
Is diesel generators used at the Formula E Grand Prix!?
You might also be interested in: The “Power Generator” from Stadtwerke Mühlhausen
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )