Electric Cars, a Solution or a Trap?

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Electric cars, a solution or a trap?
Abstract
The modern society is facing challenges due to the growing expansion of energy demand. Most countries in the world are depending on imports of oil and as a result most nations are faced with the need of coming up with an alternative energy system (Nealer & Reichmath & Anair 6). China is a good example of countries that are dedicated to reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in almost every sector in particular the automotive sector (7). Transport sector has been a challenging sector as most countries in the world are urbanized and personal mobility has become a serious issue on the mind of engineers.
Research studies have shown that most vehicles consume a lot of energy (Stewart). Research has shown that most of on-road vehicles around the world use fossil fuels (Stewart). While there are other fuels such as ethanol and natural gas products that are being research, getting the fuels to the automotive industry is a hard task (Nealer & Reichmath & Anair 5). The world has seen the opportunity of developing electric cars so as to meet the technological advancement that will bring the world’s automotive into a modern 21st century (Stewart). The introduction of electric cars seeks to bring about efficient use of energy in the transportation industry (Stewart). Research has shown that electric cars help a great deal in conservation of petroleum, a resource that the world views as a limitation to its development projects (Wilson 11). Electric cars manufacturers are more confident in the supply and above all the access of which will see the carbon emission from cars using petroleum decrease to all time new levels (Wilson 11). This paper aims to analyze whether the technological advancement in the automotive sector is a barrier to future development or it is a step ahead for the countries in the world that are embracing the pace of technological advancement.
Key words
Fossil energy, electricity car manufacturing, electricity generating, battery making, emission, rare metal up-taking, chemical pollution, global warming, battery technology advancing, and recycling parts.
Introduction
The electric vehicle (EV) has been sidelined for a long period as the technology combating the gasoline vehicles has been ignored and to some extent non-existent (Wilson 16). Efforts by most countries to keep the environment green have brought a lifeline to the automotive sector in particular the production of electric vehicles (16). Interest and technology are largely associated with the production of electric vehicles which has been termed as efficient to run. The new electric vehicles in the market have many green benefits (Nealer & Reichmath & Anair 14). These electric vehicles do not emit any pollutants to the environment and are energy efficient. Research studies have shown that one of the biggest advantages of using electric vehicles is that it has greatly reduced people’s dependence on oil and fluctuation markets that have been associated with it (Nealer & Reichmath & Anair 14).
Electric vehicles have been found to give off a negligent quantity of heat compared to the gasoline vehicles that are in the world’s market today which contribute largely to the issue of global warming in the world (Nealer & Reichmath & Anair 12). Looking to what people are driving on the roads today and comparing it to the electric vehicles; it is evident that there is a reduction of noise from the engines but the road noise that comes from tires is apparent (Stewart). Another benefits about the propulsion methods that comes with the electronic vehicles is that there are more non-moving parts compared to a normal gasoline powered vehicles which will in turn need less spare parts and the need for service (Nealer & Reichmath & Anair 41). It is evident that electric vehicles are one of the cleanest and environmentally friendly vehicles available in the market today. Research has shown that electric vehicles reduce pollutants by more than 91% compared with the most efficient normal gasoline powered vehicles; statistics on emission from power plants that generate power to charge the electric vehicles’ batteries is also inclusive (Wilson 20).
A greater advantage of the electric vehicles comes when it is time for every individual to go to the petrol station and fill up their tanks with petrol. In this scenario, the electric vehicles owners will not be required to make frequent visits to the stations to fill up anymore. They fill-ups of electric vehicles can be done at any time regardless of the availability of an individual. The vehicles are simply plugged in their stationary for a given duration of time. Alternatively, an electric car can be charged when it is being driven. When a vehicle comes to a stop and the driver applies brakes, the kinetic energy of the vehicle is always converted back into chemical energy in its battery (Nealer & Reichmath & Anair 12). This is a double advantage operation to the owner of the electric vehicles because the vehicles is slowed down as well as get recharged simultaneously. Research has shown that carbon emission of electric grid powered electric vehicles is four times greater in nations with coal powered generation than in countries with lower-carbon electricity (1).
Fossil fuels include coal and natural gas. They referred to as fuels because they release energy during combustion. Statistics show that about three quarters of the electricity generated in most countries comes from power stations that are powered by fossil energy (Nealer & Reichmath & Anair 1). Engine cars use fossil fuels that are non-renewable energies which make its supply limited and hence answer an individual why a driver of an engine vehicle is required to make frequent visits to the filling station. Engine vehicles release carbon dioxide to the environment which is termed as the leading factor that contributes to the issue of global warming (Wilson 19). Research has shown that out of the three gases, coal produces most carbon dioxide while natural gas produces the least (Nealer & Reichmath & Anair 10). On the other hand, statistics have shown that oil and coal release Sulphur dioxide to the environment when they burn hence causing breathing problems to the living organisms and contribute to acid rain (Wilson 5). Fossil fuels have its own benefits but they damage the environment which has gone to affect the entire ecosystem. Fossil fuels are easily available, produce a larger amount of energy, are high in calorific value, have stability, it is easy to transport, and above all low in costs.
Research has shown that a normal gasoline vehicle ranges its miles per gallon (mpg) from 16 to 30 (Wilson 21). If an electric vehicle is given a mpg, it would then range at 200 mpg (21). The most expensive part of an electric car is its battery (Nealer & Reichmath & Anair 8). In the past 20 years, technology in batteries making has advanced greatly (8). The need for efficient batteries has been increased by the increased use of cell phones, laptop computers, and other electronic gadgets (8). Because of this battery advancement, the electric vehicle sector has largely benefited. The biggest comparison between the conventional vehicles and electric vehicles is the driving range. Statistics have shown that the average range for electric vehicles ranges from 50 to 130 miles per charge (MPC) (Wilson 11). The changes in range are attributed by the vehicles engineering, design, weight, the use of heat and air conditioning, and above all the type of battery. Batteries are important because they are the only part in an electric vehicle that makes a difference. The modern engine cars are also chosen for their quality and power, the batteries are chosen for both strength and durability.
Many first time drivers expect the electronic vehicles to have a slow acceleration and sluggish handling ability. Research has shown that the electronic vehicles have the modest acceleration when compared to the gasoline vehicles; it all depends with the size and batteries of the vehicles (Wilson 11). The electric vehicles have a better propulsion capability and its braking system have the capability of transforming kinetic energy into chemical energy in batteries (Wilson 11). Some electric vehicles can be directly mounted inside the wheel which minimizes noise pollution while moving. To charge the electric vehicles’ batteries, an individual will be required to generate electricity from somewhere else. The electricity generation will determine how much improvement is made on emission of harmful gases to the environment.
The largest contributing factor to global warming has been attributed to fuel consumption (Nealer & Reichmath & Anair 16). In gasoline powered vehicles, the emission is usually as a result of burning gasoline and the production of fuel (16). On the other hand, electric vehicles have little to do with global warming, its emission are produced indirectly and are used in generating electricity which is used to charge the batteries and from the production of fuels that enable the generation of electricity. Research shows that driving an electric vehicle in any region of the world contributes less to global warming than an average gasoline vehicle (Nealer & Reichmath & Anair 10). Research studies have shown that an electric vehicle only needs one lithium-ion battery pack in its lifetime (26). Vehicle recycling is also another important aspect to consider when purchasing a vehicle (41). As the use of battery powered vehicles has expanded, the automotive industry has been pressured to find recycling options which will see recycling options for batteries increase as well. Incase this happens, emissions from lithium ion batteries could tremendously decrease. Research studies have shown that the electric and gasoline vehicles’ global warming could increase by about 15 to 20 percent in exclusion of the car batteries (20).
The automotive sector has kept doubling its production yearly and analysts have forecast doubling numbers in the near future (Wilson 16). This shows why there should be need of alternative energy which has good returns both environmentally and economically. The batteries are the most important parts of a vehicle and there are other many benefits associated with these kinds of vehicles when compared to the gasoline powered vehicles. The lack of service and fewer breakdowns of electric cars will soon be of huge benefits to manufacturers of electric vehicles. Some of the vehicles are on the market but not many people have bought the idea of driving one. The hope of electric vehicles manufacturers and that of green environment campaigners is that these vehicles will soon enough replace the gasoline powered vehicles with the same range of travelling distance. In doing so, it will largely reduce the ever increase supply of petroleum in the world today. The electronic vehicles idea is not new to many; it only needs technology to improve its old concepts which will go a long way in meeting the technological demand of fast paced technological world.

Works Cited
Nealer, R., D. Reichmuth, and D. Anair. “Cleaner cars from cradle to grave: how electric cars beat gasoline cars on lifetime global warming emissions. “Union of Concerned Scientists Report (2015).
Stewart, Jack. “Questioning Electric Vehicles’ Green Cred”. Bbc.com. N.P., 2016. Web. 24 May 2016.
Wilson, Lindsay. “Shades of green: electric cars’ carbon emissions around the globe.” (2013).