Electric Cars: Can They Really Help?
There
is no doubt that in a matter of decades, humans will need to have more reliable
sources of energy, other than fossil fuels. One of the greatest uses of
nonrenewable energy now is in transportation, specifically, something that almost
every person uses every day- the automobile. Electric cars have actually been
around since the 20th century, but only recently have been looked at
as something necessary to saving the planet.
Opinion/Reflection- As of now, fully electric cars
are driven by some, but are not very popular. Another car that is a bit more
popular is the Hybrid, which still runs mostly on gasoline, but is helped by an
electric motor. This is not enough though, but is a good way to introduce
people to a gradual switch to electricity. However, there are strong,
legitimate reasons why electric cars don’t sell very well. They tend to cost
double a gas-powered car, and though their power source is cheaper and
renewable, it can take years for the car to just even its price out with buying
a gas car and paying for fuel, let alone pay for itself in the foreseeable
future. Also, filling a fuel tank takes several minutes and can run an average sized
car several hundred miles. Charging an electric car takes several hours or is
done overnight and usually takes the car 100 miles. Imagine driving to a
vacation that is a few states away. With gasoline, you may have to refuel maybe
two or three times. With an electric car, you may have to stop and charge five
to seven times. Then, while the car is charging, you have to find a way to kill
several hours, or even find somewhere to stay for the night. This points out
that the main issue is that our current technology for electric cars is only in
infancy. It’s a relatively new idea to use these cars in helping the planet,
and because they are so underdeveloped, they are less efficient than gas cars,
so less of them are bought, the industry receives less money, and less research
and improving can be done. What we need is for some of the wealthier countries
that are in a better economic state put a bit of the money towards researching
ways to power cars with electricity. We don’t have to make them perfect, just
efficient enough that they will be used more. That way, more money will go towards
the research and development and the cars will improve so that eventually, they
will outnumber gasoline-powered cars. Currently, the slowest part of this idea
is starting it, and the conflict is that we need it to start working now.
Questions-
1.
Are
electric cars a good investment for the world? Or are there other efficient
methods of transportation that don’t harm the planet or use nonrenewable
resources?
2.
What
could we do about other forms of transportation, such as boats, aircraft, or
trains?
3.
Do
you ever see this possibly working out and this plan actually succeeding in the
world?
I was not aware that electric cars would cost so much to fuel. Look back, these are very inefficient cars, transportation wise. There is a new concept car that runs on hydrogen. I will have to find the article. Although electric cars are good for the environment they are not so good for the wallet. But, you could use the electric car for urban driving rather than an out of state road trip. If it is out of state you could always take a bus, train, or plane. It seems like an urban or sub-urban setting for the electric car would be perfect.
ReplyDeleteI always knew that electric cars are much more expensive than gasoline-powered cars. What I wasn't aware of was the amount of time it takes to charge electric cars. From this information, I think that the transition to mostly electric cars being on the road is far from happening. There has to be much more development, and more investing in research as Justin said. But, I do think that it is a good idea to make the change. However, with our current economic state, I don't see it happening anytime soon. It could take several years. So, answering Justin's questions, I do think that it is a good investment for the world, but when the world can afford it. I think it is currently the most efficient method of transportation that I could see being widely-used in the future. When it comes to other forms of transportation, I think that electric might not be the best type of fuel, because buses, trains and other public transportation vehicles have to constantly run, and would have no time to charge. I do think that this plan will work out in the future, once advancements are made and money is invested.
ReplyDeleteI think it is definitely a good source of energy, but can not be a primary source of transportation. There have also been electric cars that should have been recalled, but the companies didn't want to make other electric cars look bad, so they only recalled it 6 months later, after some injuries. As for other transporation, we need it to import and export.
ReplyDeletei think that it is a great idea to use energy but is not exploited. electric cars also have many problems with them and could make them unsafe. i think we should if not use electric vehicles use high milage ones. i think that the electric cars will take off once the fuel is 7 dollars a barrel. i also think electric cars are too expensive.
ReplyDelete