Electric Cars: Savior, Satan, or Step in the Right Direction Essay Example

of Energy and the Electric Auto Association, advocate for electric vehicles. Their aim is to promote widespread adoption due to their positive impact on the environment and natural resources preservation. The U.S. Department of Energy emphasizes four main points: energy efficiency, environmental friendliness, performance benefits, and reduced dependency on traditional energy sources.The pro-electric group is focused on reducing dependence on foreign economies and governments to increase energy independence in the U.S. They highlight that fully electric cars do not emit any emissions during usage, and any emissions produced during electricity generation can be eliminated by using renewable energy sources like nuclear, hydroelectric, or solar power. The Environmental Protection Agency supports this point by rating vehicles such as the Prius highly in terms of greenhouse gas and air pollution scores. It is important to note that while the Prius emits emissions when running due to its gasoline engine, it primarily operates on electricity. Therefore, an entirely electric car would have even lower emissions than a Prius. Despite this, the Prius still outperforms other vehicles like the BMW M3, which has significantly higher greenhouse gas and air pollution ratings. Many argue that the increased efficiency and reduction in pollutant emissions outweigh the high production costs of electric cars. Aldo Leopold's essay "The Land Ethic" also promotes this efficiency and responsible stewardship of the land community instead of exploitation as conquerors. Cars like the Prius have become cultural icons symbolizing good deeds and environmental consciousness. In modern America, owning a Prius represents fame or recognition as a status symbol synonymous with good actions towards the environment.Considering the success of the first generation electric vehicle, the potential for a

subsequent generation to go even further is remarkable. This new momentum reflects society's increasing focus on environmental friendliness and efficiency in America. People may be realizing the importance of working together for the greater good rather than solely prioritizing themselves. The concept of "Tragedy of the Commons" by Garret Hardin illustrates that if individuals ignore consequences, resources will gradually diminish.

The pro-electric movement has a multitude of supporters and substantial research backing its claims for expanding electric vehicles. On the other hand, there is also a strong following for the pro-petrol camp who have an emotional attachment to gasoline-powered vehicles despite scientific evidence favoring electric cars. However, their resistance to change and preference for maintaining the status quo does not imply they don't support environmental protection and efficiency.

Critics often argue that electric vehicle production is more environmentally damaging than gasoline cars. A study conducted by The Journal of Industrial Ecology compared the entire process of producing diesel and electric vehicles, taking into account factors like production, maintenance, battery replacement, assuming a lifespan of approximately 100,000 kilometers. After careful analysis, this study concludes that electric vehicle production significantly impacts the environment.According to this study, promoting electric vehicles in areas where electricity is generated from oil, coal, and lignite burning is counterproductive. The study also emphasizes the need for policies addressing battery disposal as they are highly toxic to the environment and require replacement before a car's lifespan ends. This research addresses concerns raised by advocates of traditional gasoline vehicles who seek an environmentally friendly solution. They argue that fuel-efficient diesel cars like Volkswagen BlueMotion reduce the harmful production associated with electric vehicles. These diesel cars emit 15%

less carbon dioxide than previous models and achieve a fuel efficiency of 73.5 mpg. Instead of neglecting diesel cars, efforts should be focused on developing more eco-friendly and economically feasible alternatives to gasoline, such as electric vehicles like the Tesla Model S.

Pro-petrol advocates argue that while the United States shows interest in these alternatives, it overlooks diesel cars. They also claim that electric cars have a shorter range compared to gas or diesel vehicles. For example, the Tesla Model S has an estimated range of 230-300 miles and takes approximately 5 hours to fully recharge with a 220 Volt 10 Amp source. In contrast, the BMW M3 has a range of about 322 miles and only takes around 5 minutes to refuel completely. However, it should be noted that the BMW M3 lacks energy efficiency and does not offer a long expected range.
When it comes to long-distance travel, electric vehicles such as Tesla and BMW have limitations compared to gasoline-powered cars like the 2011 Ford Fusion. The Fusion can travel up to 500 miles before needing refueling, which only takes about 5 minutes. To provide some context, let's look at a trip from Golden, Colorado to Dallas, Texas. This journey covers around 800 miles and requires approximately 12.5 hours of driving time.

For the Tesla, the total travel time would be roughly 22.5 hours with at least two recharges that take an additional minimum of 10 hours for charging. Finding the necessary charging equipment may also pose difficulties. On the other hand, the BMW would only need to refuel twice, adding approximately 10 minutes to the trip and resulting in a total travel time of about

12 hours and 40 minutes.

These details highlight a major concern among gasoline car enthusiasts: electric vehicles are currently not as practical for long-distance travel. Supporters further raise an important issue that while electric cars themselves produce no emissions and are considered environmentally friendly technology, their batteries often rely on electricity derived from non-renewable sources that harm the environment.

In fact, approximately 69% of energy production in the United States comes from non-renewable sources that generate significant emissions.This data illustrates that although electric cars may have low emissions during use, their overall harm is increased due to their reliance on predominantly non-green electricity. The group advocating for gasoline-powered cars presents scientific evidence to support their emotionally-driven stance and valid concerns about the future role of electric cars. Other stakeholders who hold similar or identical views include industries, governments, advocacy groups, states, the general population, conservationists, purists, and gasoline enthusiasts among others. It is important to note that these two groups do not represent all perspectives of every stakeholder. Within the automobile industry itself, there is a division on this matter. While most companies are producing new electric vehicles (EVs) to compete in terms of efficiency while still maintaining gasoline models (excluding Tesla), traditional fuel sources have not been completely abandoned. Additionally, different governments vary in their commitment to promoting EVs and other energy-efficient vehicles. Western European countries tend to be more proactive compared to the United States. Despite the differences among stakeholders involved in this discussion, they all share a common interest in improving vehicle efficiency and making them cleaner out of concern for the environment.However, there may be different approaches to achieving this goal. It can

be assumed that the majority of members from both sides aim to enhance vehicle efficiency for economic or environmental reasons. Some individuals may argue that environmental concerns are insignificant, but it is crucial in today's modern era to prioritize the environment and strive for increased efficiency. Both groups acknowledge the eventual depletion of oil as a non-renewable resource, but they are united in their objective to prolong its availability and enhance its efficiency. They also recognize the detrimental impact of burning oil on the environment and aim to reduce this harm without extreme measures. Neither group wants to regress or abandon reliance on motorized transportation; instead, they share a common desire to advance while preserving natural resources. Furthermore, both groups understand Aldo Leopold's suggestion of managing and regulating this shared resource in order to protect it for future generations. It is vital for these groups to set aside their differences so that collaborative solutions can be found.
Multiple potential solutions exist for addressing this issue, such as ongoing research by automobile manufacturers into new technologies for electric cars with a gradual transition towards reliable and environmentally-friendly energy sources.While the concept has merit, it may only satisfy electric vehicle proponents and may not currently be feasible. One proposed option is to use up all available gasoline before addressing the issue once depletion has occurred completely. However, there is an alternative solution for improving transportation efficiency: car-sharing. Car-sharing allows individuals to share rides with nearby residents and coworkers, increasing the number of passengers in a single vehicle and making trips more efficient and environmentally conscious. However, not everyone may find this approach suitable due to discomfort with sharing

rides with strangers.
Another solution involves dedicating time and resources to further research on hydrogen fuel cell cars. These vehicles combine the benefits of electric and gasoline-powered cars by utilizing liquid hydrogen from specific gas stations. This hydrogen is then combined with oxygen from the air to generate electricity and water, resulting in zero emissions without any negative side effects. Refueling a hydrogen fuel cell car takes approximately the same amount of time as refueling a conventional gasoline vehicle. Although this technology still requires additional development, it holds potential for advancement and widespread availability. Moreover, Honda has already successfully sold H fuel cell autos in California for some time now – it's not just a concept anymoreNonetheless, the expansion of this technology requires increased investment in installing additional H replenishment stations to meet growing demand. The advantage of this solution is that it addresses everyone's concerns as hydrogen fulfills all requirements: it is environmentally friendly, clean, user-friendly, reliable, and accessible. In summary, the electric car debate involves two main groups: proponents of electric cars and supporters of traditional petrol cars. The pro-electric group advocates for cleaner emissions, improved efficiency, and reduced reliance on oil. On the other hand, the pro-petrol group values convenience, reliability, environmentally friendly production methods, and freedom from power cables. Despite their differences, both groups share a common goal of an environmentally friendly motorized future that preserves resources. A potential solution that could satisfy both sides is the development of H fuel cell cars; however, further research is needed for this to occur. Currently, there is a deadlock in the debate with some individuals unwilling to compromise. Nevertheless, it is evident that electric

cars will play a role in the future to some extent. Some pro-petrol supporters acknowledge this and recognize that electric cars can actually save on gasoline consumption for recreational purposes.
Taking action is crucial in order to fulfill previous commitments. The Top Gear trial yielded surprising findings, with the Prius achieving an average of 17 miles per gallon while the BMW averaged 19 miles per gallon [5]. It should be noted that the Prius was driven at a high speed in a race, while the BMW only had to keep up due to its larger engine [5]. This experiment demonstrates that the skill of the driver outweighs the capabilities of the car itself. Gaining proficiency and effective driving techniques are essential abilities. This can be observed in the increasing popularity of hypermiling, which involves intentionally driving efficiently to maximize fuel mileage per gallon. Hypermiling is a growing trend that has potential for addressing depleting oil reserves and reducing vehicles' environmental impact.