The Rise of Electric Cars

Introduction

Climate change is a very present problem in our world today and we must act now if we want to reverse the damage before it’s too late.  Nasa states that there is a tipping point and if we continue polluting the planet at this rate, then soon we won’t be able to reverse the damages done to this Earth.  One of the biggest contributors to climate change is the burning of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions.  Climate change is a very present problem in our world today and we must act now if we want to reverse the damage before it’s too late.  Nasa states that there is a tipping point and if we continue polluting the planet at this rate, then soon we won’t be able to reverse the damages done to this Earth.  One of the biggest contributors to climate change is the burning of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions.  The greatest cause of greenhouse gas emissions is caused by the transportation industry which makes up 29%.  However, new potentials have begun to rise which can diminish the emissions of greenhouse gas.  These potentials are called electric cars.  Electric cars can replace traditional gasoline cars without giving off any greenhouse gas.  First, I’ll talk about the effect of electric cars on climate change.  Next, there is the development of electric cars and why they are the way of the future. Then, there are the business models for electric cars and why it’s so effective.  From global warming to costs, electric cars are the future of transportation.  Global warming is forcing us to adapt to save our planet and electric cars are one of the ways we must adapt.

Why We Need Electric Cars

Electric vehicles don’t just mean cars, it also includes buses, trains, and trucks. Essentially every motor you get to work at the moment will soon be replaced with an electric counterpart.  As I said earlier, 29% of the greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the transportation industry. This is not only bad for our planet but harmful to our health as well. There have been numerous health conditions linked to humans breathing in greenhouse gas, such as asthma, bronchitis, cancer, and heart conditions.  Electric vehicles have a much smaller carbon footprint than gasoline cars and don’t have any harmful side effects to human’s long-term use.  For the first time, the consumption of renewable energy just surpassed coal.  This is huge because as of right now, electric vehicles get their electricity from both renewable energy and the burning of fossil fuels.  But, the burning of fossil fuels has been shrunk and replaced with renewable energy sources.  Earthjustice attorneys are working tirelessly throughout the United States to bring 100% clean, renewable energy.  Another environmental advantage that electric vehicles have on gasoline or diesel cars is that electric cars are much more efficient and don’t require as much energy.  What about long-term environmental effects?  The only downside electric cars have on the environment is that the production of lithium-ion batteries requires a lot of energy to build.  However, with the fight to completely convert to renewable energy, this hopefully won’t be a problem for much longer.  All studies show that replacing gasoline vehicles with their electric counterparts reduces greenhouse gas emissions.  Athena Motavvef, Earthjustice’s associate legislative representative in Washington, D.C., says that “If we’re going to have a real shot at stemming the impact of the climate crisis, we need to ditch fossil fuels, pivot to 100% clean energy, and achieve zero emissions. Making electric vehicles accessible to all people is an important step towards that goal.” These are just some of the environmental reasons why electric cars are going to become prominent in our near future.  Another thing that is pushing electric vehicles to the foreground is the development of the vehicles.

Developments of Electric Vehicles

When electric vehicles and the source of energy for electric vehicles are ever-evolving and improving, it is hard to dispute why electric cars aren’t a better alternative to our gasoline-powered vehicles.  At the beginning of electric cars, they weren’t very popular because they were expensive to purchase and produce, and they didn’t run as well as the gasoline cars whose engines had been developed over a long period.  However, now that electric cars are becoming more popular, the cost of purchasing and producing them has dropped significantly.  Another huge developmental advantage electric vehicles have over gasoline cars is safety.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that according to their studies, electric vehicles are safer than gasoline-powered cars.  One of the reasons why electric vehicles are so much safer is because of the placement of the batteries.  Because in most electric cars the batteries are placed in the floor, it gives the car a lower center of mass which makes it harder to roll in an accident.  There are more than 1 billion vehicles worldwide.  Out of this, 96% of these are produced with the use of fossil fuels.  This is forcing almost every major car manufacturer to start to produce electric vehicles.  With new advancements in the electric vehicle world, they are predicting to be completely emission-free by 2050.  When some people look at electric cars they don’t like them because they believe that they are too slow and can’t keep up with those sports cars with lots of horsepower.  This is completely false.  Because the car uses an electric motor, that means it has instant torque, unlike gasoline-powered cars which take time from when you press on the pedal to when you go.  Most of the fastest 0-60mph times are by electric cars because they have instant torque.  The Tesla models have been known to be very fast for their price and can even have the equivalent of around 500 horsepower.  There are so many advantages to electric cars mechanically, but that isn’t the only reason they are selling.  Another reason why electric car sales are on the rise is because of the business model.

Electric Vehicle Business Models

The most successful car company in the world is Tesla, an electric car company created by Elon Musk.  As of 2021, Tesla is worth 830 billion dollars, which makes it worth more than any other car brand on Earth.  This is extremely impressive considering that Tesla only makes electric cars, whereas companies such as Chevrolet and Ford make both gasoline and electric vehicles and both aren’t worth as much.  So what is Tesla doing that is pushing electric vehicles further past gasoline cars?  Harvard Business believes one of the reasons Tesla is so far into the future is because they develop cars as if they are a phone or computer.  What they mean by this is that because Tesla is so advanced, they can update their car’s technology every couple of weeks without needing the owners to take them in.  Another advantage that Tesla’s electric cars have over gasoline cars is that electric cars have fewer parts which makes the production and the sales much cheaper than other brands.  The average combustion-engine car has around 2,000 parts, whereas Teslas and other electric vehicles have around 20.  If you have ever bought a car from a dealership you know how long and complicated the process can be.  Tesla takes a completely different approach to buy a car.  To purchase a Tesla all you have to do is go online, pick the model of car you want, add what features you want, place a deposit, and then go pick it up.  It is as easy as buying a pair of shoes.  Because electric vehicles run on batteries, electric cars cost much less when it comes to ownership.  The reason batteries drastically decrease the cost is because you can recharge them in your home which costs about $9 to get a full charge instead of paying for gas.  Not having to pay for gas can save you around $1,000 a year.  Also, the improvement of batteries going into electric vehicles has been growing at an exponential rate meaning that they are more efficient, cost-effective, and last longer.  With less maintenance on an electric vehicle, the average consumer can save $1,500 over the lifespan of the vehicle when compared to gasoline cars.  According to Edmunds, “Consumers will also see a deluge of new models entering the market in the next 11 months: 30 EVs from 21 brands, up from 17 models in 2020.”  With gas and oil prices rising, it is easy to see why many are thinking that electric cars are the smart move in the long term.  You never have to make oil changes or switch out the spark plugs, and your conscience will be content with driving an electric car because it is so much better for the environment.  As of right now, electric vehicles still give off emissions, but it is the emissions equivalent of a gasoline car getting 88 miles to the gallon.  When most cars and trucks these days get 20-25 mpg, this is a huge impact.  

Conclusion

Electric vehicles are the way of the future and if others disagree they can just look at the facts.  First, electric cars are cheaper to own and maintain than gasoline cars which can save you thousands over time.  You also don’t have to pay for gas which can save you around $1,000 per year.  Climate change might be the biggest reason to switch to an electric vehicle because we need to start making changes and electric vehicles are the changes necessary for the survival of our planet.  The goal for the future is that all transportation will use 100% clean energy without emissions.  From the production of the vehicle to the everyday use of gasoline cars, we are burning fossil fuels which are hurting everything that lives on the Earth.  Electric cars are cheaper, safer, and better for the environment so once you look at the facts, electric vehicles are the way of the future.

Works Citied

“Electric Vehicles Are Not Just the Wave of the Future, They Are Saving Lives Today.” Earthjustice, 5 Oct. 2020, earthjustice.org/features/electric-vehicles-explainer?gclid=CjwKCAjwkN6EBhBNEiwADVfya0XRhXutaLQPuYLJ-Qu3YD4Q9w3pjwOOCumYVMOR1-qL1pxDMa8lzhoCx3cQAvD_BwE.

Fabian Kley, Christian Lerch, David Dallinger. Developments of Electric Cars and Fuel Cell Hydrogen Electric Cars, 3 Mar. 2011, www-sciencedirect-com.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/science/article/pii/S0301421511002163.

Shipley, Lou. “How Tesla Sets Itself Apart.” Harvard Business Review, 28 Feb. 2020, hbr.org/2020/02/how-tesla-sets-itself-apart.

Tabbi Wilberforce,Zaki El-Hassan,F.N. Khatib,Ahmed Al Makky,Ahmad Baroutaji,James G. Carton,Abdul G. Olabi. Developments of Electric Cars and Fuel Cell Hydrogen Electric Cars, 5 Oct. 2017, www-sciencedirect-com.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/science/article/pii/S036031991732791X.