Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Topic Background Elaboration

I have described some aspects of my subject choice, electric and hybrid vehicles, but there is much more information to elaborate on. First of all, to assign a definition to my topic, I am investigating the environmental effects of electric and hybrid vehicles in the US and possibly globally along with current events and breakthroughs in the technology. This means understanding studies regarding carbon footprints of vehicles and the environment in general, how these vehicles operate, how they are created, and why/why not choose an electric or hybrid vehicle over gas.

This detailed breakdown of electric vehicles should be understood by all but is even more critical for electric car owners to understand since they are the main user. Ideally, if a person is using something, shouldn’t they know how it works and therefore, how to use it correctly? I myself own an all electric smart car and previously knew very little regarding the impact my vehicle has on the environment, whether it be positive, negative, or neutral and how my daily driver operates. Therefore, my inspection of what goes on behind the scenes of this technology can provide a solid platform of information for electric or hybrid car users or any interested parties.

A noteworthy discussion regarding electric cars in current news media is the prospect ban of gasoline cars throughout an entire country. Keith Brasher, an established writer for the New York Times, touches on this possibility in his article “G.M. Chief, in China, Challenges Planned bans of Gasoline Cars”. He describes how in the month of September China joined Britain and France with a statement of an eventual ban of gasoline and diesel car sales. With a deeper look into this proposal, that would also include the prohibition of hybrid car sales since their engines emit a small amount of greenhouse gases due to internal combustion engines. Interestingly, this radical change may be more than just environmentally beneficial for these countries. Most of the patents for hybrid plug-ins are owned by companies outside of China. Additionally, China has been one of the leaders in completely battery powered electric cars which would boost those sales so realistically, there is minimal loss for China in the ban of gasoline powered vehicles. Considering this information, it seems to be not only and environmental improvement but also political and financial.

The average person, even if they own an electric vehicle, often lack a coherent response to why own an electric car? A common response involves the financial aspect of saving money and that it somehow helps the environment, but, in my book, that is a pretty weak response. If someone is to claim the positives of spending less money and helping the environment they should at least have some examples. So here are some facts to help get educated. An article by Energy Saver, “Saving Money with Electric Vehicles”, describes how:

Therefore the common claim of financial assistance is true but some may be misinformed on how much money is truly being saved. Also, looking into the environmental aspect, it is controversial what degree of positive environmental changes electric and hybrid vehicles bring. It must be taken into account that harnessing electricity doesn’t just come from the void of space, but is created through machines like windmills, solar panels, and coal-powered plants. This means claims such as “Electric cars are 100 percent eco-friendly” could be false because a percentage of electricity production emissions would be donated to the use of an electric or hybrid car. Therefore, those that believe they are emission free may need to reconsider their claims.

Beyond the above interesting information I hope to answer some of these questions for myself and interested readers.

As my discoveries continue more questions will arrive but I first hope to answer these as a starting platform for more learning.

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