Recyclable parts and reduced emissions are great, but what are the downsides to the infiltration of electric vehicles?
Getting from point A to point B is no longer as simple as hopping in a car, stepping on the gas pedal and screeching off to our chosen destination. For those who have ever enjoyed the pleasure of carefree driving, treasure those memories, because we’re living in a very different world where global warming and peak oil have taken front and center.
These days, considering the carbon footprint of your vehicle is fast becoming far more important than whether your ride is easy on the eyes or packs a testosterone-laden punch, but convincing the general population to get with the program has admittedly been a tough sell.
For a very long time, we’ve been quite comfortable with slick, roomy, gas-guzzling vehicles and yet, given the choice, what consumer in their right mind wouldn’t want a more efficient option, particularly if it takes the burden off of his or her wallet in the midst of a depressed economy?
With electric vehicles (EVs), it just so happens that the deal gets even sweeter since Mother Nature catches a much needed break, too. But you want the cold hard facts, don’t you? This must be your lucky day, because here are a few electric vehicle pros and cons to sink your teeth into:
Advantages of electric vehicles
Dependence on fossil fuels reduced
Ever wonder just how much oil the U.S. currently uses to fuel its transportation sector? Of the two-thirds that is earmarked specifically for planes, trains and other assorted vehicles, a solid 40% of the petroleum that we consume is reserved specifically for personal cars and trucks across the country. EVs, however, obtain their propulsive power from a modified internal combustion engine or a rechargeable plug-in battery.
Decline in greenhouse gas production
While our nation’s addiction to oil is well known, what most people don’t realize is that the fuel used to power our conventional vehicles is responsible for generating approximately one-third of America’s greenhouse gas emissions. Conversely, coal-derived electric vehicles still manage to release 25% fewer atmospheric pollutants than mainstream fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
Easier on the environment
According to a recent study, the largest eco-burden of an electric vehicle stems from the recharging of its battery (especially when the electricity is generated from coal), but EVs still fare better on the green scale than their fossil-fueled predecessors.
Cleaner than conventional vehicles
Due to their highly efficient motors and electric generators, “total CO2 emissions from a midsized plug-in EV are likely to be about half of those from a conventional internal combustion engine gasoline vehicle.”
Fuel savings offset extra electric expense
Driving an electric vehicle 12,000 miles annually is said to cost roughly $30 extra each month but yield a fuel savings of $97.
No threat to power grid
Smart chargers, which strategically bestow EVs with their juice at select times throughout the day, take the burden off of the electric grid, plus solar-powered versions are in the works.
Potential recyclability
THINK City’s electric cars, which have proven to achieve 68 miles per hour courtesy of their lithium-manganese battery packs, are the very epitome of cradle-to-grave sustainability. From their unpainted plastic body panels and air ducts to their interior fabric and dashboards, engineers designed this highly efficient vehicle with maximum recyclable capabilities in mind.
Disadvantages of electric vehicles
Tethers drivers to an electrical outlet
While household charging stations are a necessary part of purchasing an EV, many users worry that they’ll run out of juice at an entirely inconvenient time. Fortunately, the proliferation of public charging stations should alleviate such concerns — major retailers like Best Buy are even jumping on the bandwagon.
More expensive than conventional vehicles
Blame the budget-killing cost of the Chevy Volt (priced at $40,280) and the Nissan Leaf (which retails at $32,780 and is equipped with a $15,600 24-kilowatt-hour battery pack) on their respective cobalt-, nickel- and manganese-laden power storage devices. To heap insult upon injury, the battery packs of all electric vehicles — regardless of make or model — must ultimately be replaced. The good news is that it should cost “just” a few thousand dollars to do so.
Responsible for power plant emissions
Electric-powered vehicles may in fact release no tailpipe emissions, but the energy that they rely on is obtained directly from nuclear, natural gas, hydro and coal power plants — none of which are 100% squeaky clean. Studies have found that EVs “can result in more local air pollution at the electricity generation source, especially if the source is a coal power plant.”
Not as green as one might think
A Greenpeace-backed report by Dutch consultancy group CE Delft suggests that the proliferation of electric vehicles will “likely lead to more electricity production from coal, gas and nuclear plants without necessarily reducing oil demand for conventional cars.” Other experts feel that EVs would have to run on compressed natural gas to be far more eco-friendly.
Battery technology isn’t ideal
Lithium-ion batteries don’t yet have a predictable shelf life and they also tend to suffer performance wise in cold weather as well as when the user cranks up their stereo, air conditioner or heat.
Leda Jones
April 21st, 2011
We were wondering how long it takes to charge to EV.
John Sweeney
May 11th, 2011
Now, who says that EV’s reduce emissions? When you take into account the inefficiencies of power generation, line losses from the power plant to your wall socket, and power loss as the battery is charged (due to heat from the internal resistance), you may find that EV’s are more polluting than most gas powered vehicles.
D-man
May 15th, 2011
I’m all for electric vehicles but I am not seeing anyone say what the cost is to replace the battery which is about 5 years life span.
Julie Prandi
May 26th, 2011
I would like to know how long it takes a 100% charged up electric car to deplete its charge if it is just standing still in the garage or elsewhere. I need to know that, because if I leave it sitting in an airport parking lot for a couple of weeks, I want to know if I can still drive it when I return without recharging.
What Happened to the Compressed-Air Car? | Omasiali's Blog
May 30th, 2011
[...] now, consumers wanting a clean, efficient vehicle might be well advised to consider the manyelectric-powered cars and bikes already available on the market. This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the [...]
james
June 21st, 2011
Easy solution to the Range problem of Electric cars.. Make the Batteries (Battery packs) Standardized and Easily exchangeable. And when I mean easily exchangeable, the old battery can be removed from the vehicle and a replaced with a new one within 10 minutes This about the time it takes someone to Replace the Gasoline in their vehicle. . Use existing infastructure of Filling stations to provide these battery replacements.. For a nominal fee customers can stop at the filling stations wthat will have the equipment to quickly remove and replace batteries. Batteries removed from a vehicle will be replaced with a fully charged batter pack.. The spent Battery pack will then be placed into a charging rack.. When a battery pack become unable to hold a regulated amount of charge a truck will come to the Station to collect expiring batteries and replace them with new ones. The old ones will be taken away and recycled.
All this can be done with existing Battery Technology, Existing Infrastructure, and existing Electric car technology.. Battery Form factor just needs to be standardized. If such an idea were implemented.. An electric car would essentially have the same range as an gasoline vehicle. Filling stations would be changed from holding huge tanks for inventory of volatile gasoline, to racks of charged batterypacks… In stead of a pump and a hose, it will be a dolly and a lift.
mr.Avalanche
September 4th, 2011
Um i think they should just stay with gas and diesel cars cause electric and hybrid cars are just plane stupid
mr.Avalanche
September 4th, 2011
actually it is stupid too have a Electric car Run by Electricity and recharge it for 8 hours i just stay with gas car and Electric cars rides like a Golf cart and sounds like a R/C toy car.
mort
September 7th, 2011
Dear mr.Avalanche, before you go making blanket statements about topics you have no understanding about whatsoever, you should go to your nearest Nissan dealer and test drive a Leaf. Not only will this vehicle probably change your oppinion about BEV’s but you might actualy learn something about a topic you have displayed such ignorance towards.
mr.Avalanche
September 9th, 2011
mort i never liked Electric cars it is so lame the reason i typed that is charging Electric car at the house for 8 hours and charge it at Electric pump station for 26 minutes thats really Ridiculous also if you charge your Electric car at your s house for 8 hours if its a thunder storm the power goes off it could take 5 or 30 minutes a hour or two hours.
:)
September 21st, 2011
Dear James,
They are already starting to implement your idea in Israel. They are putting many “switch stations” all over the country where your battery is simply switched in about 5 min. You don’t actually own the battery, you just rent. Like paying for minutes on a phone bill, you pay for the energy you used.
Check out http://www.betterplace.com for more info.
some jerk
December 1st, 2011
weird :p
John Sweeney
December 2nd, 2011
Can anybody cite a serious study that shows battery powered vehicles cause less pollution when the power plants (generating stations) are considered?
BHS Jones Physics Blog › Less oil will lead to electrical vehicles
January 26th, 2012
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