Environmental Impacts of Electric Vehicles By Justace Collins June 29, 2016 BIO 338 CSUSM
Introduction
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From horse drawn carriages to Internal Combustion Engines, Vehicles have revolutionized through out the industrial era. However, Internal Combustion Engines rely heavily on the burning of fossil fuels causing major environmental issue. With the heavy consumption of fossil fuel, reserves are depleting causing gas prices to rise (Mwasilu, Justo, Kim, Do, Jung, 2014). This form of transportation is also responsible for more then 30% of U.S greenhouse emissions (UCSUSA, 2016). Do to the depleting sources and harmful effects of gas powered vehicles, regulations have pushed manufactures towards the production of electric vehicles. Electric Vehicles are composed of two different categories: Battery Electric (battery operated electric motor) and Hydro-Electric (combination of hydrogen and oxygen generating electricity, aka gas and battery) (Hawkins, Gausen, Stromman, 2012). It is believed that switching to electric vehicles will shift and lower our emissions, improve our air quality, and reduce our energy use. However, nothing can be produced without contributing some sort of pollution to our earth. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of Electric cars? Do the advantages out weigh the bad?
Advantages
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With electric car technology, we are able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, tailpipe emissions, energy use, and air pollution. By switching from gas powered to electricity, we are transferring environmental discharge to less crowded and polluted areas (Lave, Hendrickson, McMichael, 1195). Transferring discharge to less crowded areas is necessary for the production of power plants, which release fewer emissions into the air then Internal Combustion Manufactures. Especially because gasoline emits highly toxic carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide into heavily populated areas (Lave, Hendrickson, McMichael, 1195). As of 2007, carbon monoxide is now categorized as a greenhouse gas that could possibly cause climate change (Anderson, Anderson, 2004). Thus by transferring environmental discharge to rural areas, the air surrounding our homes and school will be cleaner.
Advantages Cont.
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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are projected to “reduce Co2 emission by half and petroleum consumption by more than 75%” (Haley, Tsuetkolg, 2009). Another advantage, is many countries, like Sweden, offer subsidies for electric vehicles along with lower tax rates then gasoline (Carlsson, Stenman, 2003). California alone offers a $1,500 to $2,500 rebate, a Federal Tax credit of $4,000 to $7,500, and access to the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on the freeway to maintain engine efficiency of Plug-in Electric and Plug-in Hybrid vehicles (Driveclean.ca.gov). However, for most consumers these rebates are used to off set the cost of charging equipment and Installation.
Subsidies
Advantages Cont.
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But electric vehicles have the ability to return part of the energy they use back to the power grid, this process is known as Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) (Morais, Sousa, vale, Faria, 2014). If V2G is used right, it will help offset the demand of energy need to run electric cars and reduce the environmental impact of this demand. But does the benefit of V2G outweigh the costly burden of owning an electric plug-in car?
Disadvantages
Cost, is one of the major disadvantages facing Electric Vehicles. Electric Vehicles alone can cost upwards of $20,000 depending on the model and manufacturer. If consumers go with a Plug-In Electric or Plug-In Hybrid, charging equipment can range from $500 to $1,100 not including the additional cost of Installation that can reach up to $2,000 (Driveclean.ca.gov). Then on top of that, you have to account for the cost of electricity need to power these stations. Once installed, you pay the additional fees of electricity to your local gas and electric company. The prices of these fess vary and are charged per kwh (Kilowatts per hour). After researching various electric cars, it’s seems that electric cars need between 80 to 100+ kw to fully charge a single battery. It’s takes between 4 to 8 hours to fully charge and then lasts on average about 60-120 miles (Fuel Economy.gov).
Disadvantages cont.
Gas and Electric companies, like SDG&E (San Diego Gas and Electric) are always trying to get consumers to lower the rate of energy used during the day, to help offset the demand on the power grid. Which lead’s these companies to offer lower charging rates during off peak hours. However, in the article Potential Impacts of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles on Regional Power Generation, the author’s state that gas and electric companies face difficulties trying to get consumers to charge their vehicles during off peak hours (Haley, Tsuetkoug, 200). Which is the best time to charge your electric car, in order to make V2G the most effective.
SDG&E Peak Hours
Disadvantages Cont.
Another disadvantage, is that consumers are uninterested in electric vehicles. Consumers are what make or break a product. After World War 11, there was little demand for electric cars because gas was easily accessible, thus interest declined (Anderson, Anderson, 2004). Even as gas prices fluctuated, the fad of electric cars seemed to come and go. It wasn’t until consumers were faced with the issue of air pollution, that they became more interested in electric cars. And as discussed earlier, electric vehicles help to reduce if not eliminate air pollution all together. In fact, electric vehicles when integrated with V2G can “regulate voltage and frequency regulation, peak power leveraging and reactive power support to enhance the operation efficiency, secure the electric grid and reduce power system operating cost” (Mwasilu, Justo, Kim, Do, Jung, 2014). So again, it seems that if the V2G is used right in combination with Electric Vehicles that we would not only reduce the environmental impact of energy and air pollution, but also the cost as well. By decreasing the cost, electric vehicles will become more appealing to the average consumer.
What was once a disadvantage is now an Advantage
When electric cars were first being produced, they relied on batteries made out of lead-acid, nickel-metal hydride, or sodium-nickel-chloride (Notter, Gauch, Wildem. Wager, 2010). However, new models of electric vehicles are using Lithium Ion.
By using Lithium Ion in batteries “there is no memory effect, little self-discharge, and no scheduled cycling is required to prolong the battery’s life” (Notter, Gauch, Wildem. Wager, 2010). The authors of Contribution of Li-Ion Batteries to the Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicles, conducted an in depth study comparing battery electric vehicles to internal combustion engines. In their findings, LithiumIon only had a 1.9% environmental impact and as long as these batteries are made in a regular hydropower plant, they will decrease environmental impact by 40.2% (Notter, Gauch, Wildem. Wager, 2010).
Conclusion
Electric cars can heavily reduce the amount of toxic fossil fuel emissions released into the atmosphere, improve air quality, recycle energy back into our power grid, and use batteries that are more environmentally friendly. The only catch is that they are a serious investment, money wise. And until plug-in electric vehicles are more heavily demanded by consumers, re-chargeable stations will be far and few between. Which in returns, limits the distance in which one can travel. There are also some key factors, such as battery production and peak hours, that manufactures and consumers most take advantage of in order to make the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Batteries must be made out of Lithium-Ion in hydropower plants, because if they are made in hard coal power plants the environment burden would increase by 13.4% instead of decrease by 40.2% (Notter, Gauch, Wildem. Wager, 2010). And electric cars must be charged during peak hours, if not the vehicle does not return any energy to the grid and the consumer saves no money (Morais, Sousa, vale, Faria, 2014). But if electric cars are done right..
the advantages outweigh the disadvantages!
References on the next page
References
All-Electric Vehicles. (n.d). Fuel Economy. Retrieved from https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/evtech.shtml
Anderson, C., & Anderson, J. (2010). Electric and Hybrid cars: A History (2nd ed.). Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Company. Retrieved from Google Books
Carlsson, F., & Stenman, O. J. (n.d.). Costs and Benefits of Electric Vehicles : A 2010 Perspective. Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, 37(1), 1-28. Retrieved from Google Scholar.
"Charging Equipment Costs.” (n.d.). Plug-In Electric Vehicle Resource Center. Drive Clean, Retrieved from http://driveclean.ca.gov/pev/Costs/Charging_Equipment.p hp
UCSUSA. (2016). Car Emissions and Global Warming. Retrieved from http://www.ucsusa.org/clean-vehicles/car-emissions-and-g lobal-warming#.V3SNcFcXJht
Hadley, Stanton W., and Alexandra A. Tsvetkova. "Potential Impacts of Plug-in Hybrid Electric
References Cont.
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Notter, D. A., Gauch, M., Widmer, R., Wäger, P., Stamp, A., Zah, R., & Althaus, H. (2010). Contribution of Li-Ion Batteries to the Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicles. Environmental Science & Technology Environ. Sci. Technol., 44(17), 6550-6556. doi:10.1021/es903729a