[flogic]

There are still 2 basic sources of benefit. First, power stations generally use turbines which are much more efficient than internal combustion engines. Even after accounting for inefficiencies electric often comes out better. The other benefit is that it decouples the vehicle from the energy source.

[sgc]

Third, it moves the pollution out of the city center.

[AngryData]

I don't see how hiding your pollution is helpful, in fact it may do the opposite as it allows people to delude themselves into thinking they are living a 'green' life. I already see this sentiment a lot, of people believing living in a city makes them 'greener' because they can't see the pollution their daily life creates everywhere else to supply them.

[qznc]

But minus points because transfering the energy and storing it in a battery loses some.

Still, China is probably completely content with getting the pollution out of the city.

[mandeepj]

> The other benefit is that it decouples the vehicle from the energy source

until, you run out of the juice (electricity)