PLUG IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Plug in Electric Cars

A plug in electric car works just like any other vehicle. It is rechargeable from external sources of electricity; these sources include wall sockets as well as the electric sources that are stored in battery packs which are rechargeable in nature which all have contributions in driving the wheels. These vehicles are sometimes synonymously referred to as the Plug In Electric Vehicles (PEVs) which is a superset of electric vehicles in its entirety. Overall, when compared to the conventional forms of the internal combustion engines, the plug in vehicles exhibit a number of advantages over the former. These benefits revolve within and around issues to do with the cost of maintenance and operation, environmental issues to do with air pollution; they also reduce overdependence on petroleum and its products among other advantages. Today, authorities in all aspects of the society both local, national as well as international have come up with credits in forms of tax, subsidies as well as incentives which all have the mother objective of promoting, introduction and the adoption of large numbers of plug in electric vehicles in their areas of jurisdiction depending the size of the batteries and the electric range. This paper will thus seek to analyze and bring to light a number of facts as well as emerging issues in relation to the plug in electric vehicles.

Logically speaking it would be rational to associate the origins, growth and development of plug in electric vehicles to the tragedy of the commons, (Hardin, 1971). According to him, the depletion of resources which are shared at individual level to satisfy their self interest is self defeating in the long run. This concept is always cited in tandem with sustainable development, environmental protection, economic growth as well as the ever growing debate of global warming. The commons refer to the atmosphere, fish stocks, rivers, oceans, parking meters and in this particular case; the term common refers to air. Concisely therefore, the population of the world is in a constant state of growth but this growth in population is not directly proportional to the growth of resources. It therefore follows that human beings have to come up with ways that ensure that the use of resources today does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs using similar resources. Therefore, the innovation of electric cars is a milestone towards the achievement of the concept of sustainable development.

The formation of smog which is an obstacle to visibility, the development of respiratory diseases on human beings, the precondition for acid rain, corrosion of buildings hence shortening their standard life spans as well as inhibiting the growth of plants; are some of the effects associated with air pollution. This pollution is the result of exhaust fumes from the traditional combustion engines and industrial pollution. In order to curb these adverse effects, the society needs to embrace the utility of plug in electric vehicles which have a number of advantages as compared to combustible engines that offer the earth a definite end in terms of resource use.

Plug in electrical vehicles have a number of advantages; the first advantage of these vehicles is that they are environmentally friendly. This in one sense means that they do not pollute the air like the traditional internal ignition engines. However, this does not mean that they are absolutely environmentally friendly. This is because; the electricity that is used to refill the electric vehicles batteries is a product of the environment. More often than not, this electricity is derived from the combustion of fossil fuels which consequently produce little environmental pollution. It is however not logical to compare the amount of pollution produced from the combustion of fossil fuels to one produced from the internal ignition engines. These vehicles also reduce on noise pollution which is an attribute of traditional internal combustion engines In a nutshell therefore, Plug in Electric offer the planet earth a more sustainable life as opposed to the traditional internal ignition engines.

Plug in Electrical vehicles are also cheap to maintain and operate. This is reinforced by the fact that reports from the United States Department of Energy indicating that an original and typical Plug in Electrical vehicle can cover an approximate distance of 40 miles using only a dollar of electricity. This in one sense implies that only a substantial drop in the price of the commonly used gasoline could give such a low figure per mile. The cost element can also be supported by the fact that individuals who operate these vehicles can save up to 75% annually as compared to those who operate on gas powered vehicles. Therefore, these vehicles are cheap to maintain and operate.

Plug in electric vehicles are also cheap in the sense that only electricity is required to meet its utility requirements. This thus eliminates features of the traditional internal ignition engines. These features revolve within and around the charges incurred when changing oil, replacing oil filters, replacing fuel filters, charges incurred when undertaking emissions charges among other maintenance issues. A simple drive train as well as a simplified breaking system implies reliability and few potential repairs. The most expensive part of these vehicles is the battery which of course has a limited lifespan. In as much as replacing the battery may coat the owners thousands of dollars; it is once after a relatively long period which makes these vehicles a cheap alternative. Additionally, with constant innovation and developments in technology; it is hoped that the owners of these vehicles will benefit from longer battery lives as well as lower costs. To crown it all, vehicle manufacturers are likely to initiate programs such as warranties that are likely to impact on the cost effectiveness of these vehicles. These incentives may revolve between and around issues to do with battery leasing as well as longer battery warranties.

The battery used to operate the Plug in Electric vehicles can be recycled. This is another advantage of operating the electric vehicles. Approximately 100% of these batteries can be subjected to the process of recycling. The implication here is that the disposal of already used batteries which are likely to cause adverse environmental degradation is solved.

Conventionally, human beings embrace the notion that no single aspect of life is perfect. In other words, Plug in Electric Vehicles also encompasses a number of limitations and disadvantages. One major disadvantage of these vehicles is the time that is taken to recharge the batteries. This disadvantage again makes the traditional vehicles enjoy little advantage over the electric vehicles as refilling the fuel tanks is an almost immediate function whereas recharging the batteries may take a long time. It is however hoped that, in order to woo more people to use these vehicles; scientists and engineers are already trying to develop charging systems that consume less time.

With the electric car technology already taking shape in the developed nations of China and the United States of America, it is hoped that being global leaders this influence will be emulated by their allies. To that extent therefore, the future of electric cars is bright and with continued research on issues to do with electric cars; this might solve the current problems facing them. To human beings; seeing is believing, once the electric cars will prove to be effective, efficient and overall user friendly, then it will be embraced not all in some spheres of the globe but the globe in its entirety.

INCLUDEPICTURE “http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/files/2012/12/EDI_September-2012-1024×641.png” * MERGEFORMATINET

GRAPH A: AMERICANS NOW PURCHASING LESS POLLUTING AND FUEL EFFICIENT VEHICLES. SOURCE: NEWYORK TIMES, 5th December 2012.

Reference

Hardin, G. J. (1971). The Tragedy of the commons. New York: Phoenix/BFA Films & Video [distributor.

National Research Council (U.S.). (2010). Transitions to alternative transportation technologies: Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press.

United States. (2009). Twenty in ten: Plug in to hybrids & alternative fuels. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.