Gas vs. Electric Transport: Pros and Cons

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Table of Contents

Introduction
The Economical Aspects
Ecology
Energy Consumption
Usage of Ecologically Safe Resources
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

In recent years, there has been a shift towards electric mobility around the world, allowing one to enjoy all the benefits of cars with an emphasis on preserving the environment. According to an article by Tabouchy and Plumer in The New York Times, automakers, governments, and environmental groups support electric vehicles as a critical strategy for reducing oil consumption and protecting the environment. The United Nations Environment Program’s (UNEP, “Global Electric Mobility Programme” 7) support for the transition to electric transport demonstrates the veracity of this statement. The global group calls on more than fifty middle- and low-income countries to switch to electric vehicles and replace fossil fuels (UNEP, “Global Electric Mobility Programme” 11).

According to the report, UNEP is partnering with the International Energy Agency (IEA) to support the goals and rules of e-mobility globally. Petroleum-fueled vehicles are much more expensive and environmentally hazardous in the long run than electric alternatives. Based on all the data obtained, electric vehicles are the best solution for the auto industry in the long term.

The Economical Aspects

The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the Centro de Movilidad Sostenible are partners of UNEP at the regional level (UNEP, “Supporting the Global Shift to Electric Mobility” 11). Governments must communicate with one another as organizations from many industries band together to promote electric vehicles in various regions worldwide. For example, Volvo aims to manufacture an entirely electrified lineup by 2030 (Li et al. 41). Similarly, General Motors wants to stop producing gasoline-powered cars by 2035 (Li et al. 55).

These examples demonstrate how electric automobiles are becoming more commonplace. Statistics from Watson and Lavack show that more electric vehicles are on the road worldwide. Li states that from less than 250 000 in 1995 to 1.2 million in 2016, there has been an average of 10% annual growth in the number of electric cars. Despite low gasoline costs, the sale of electric and hybrid vehicles increased by 15% in 2015, with 60% of those purchases occurring in the Asia-Pacific area (Watson and Lavack 1). However, gas-powered vehicles continue to rule the transportation sector.

The encouraging numbers mentioned above represent 1% of all cars in the US (Watson and Lavack 1). The authors explain these pitiful numbers as a result of consumers’ hesitation to buy electric cars because of price sensitivities and their willingness to forego personal comfort in favor of greener alternatives. In this line, a side-by-side comparison of gas-powered and electric vehicles might inform consumers about the demand for more electric vehicles.

Ecology

It would be wise to discuss the present global pollution issue to comprehend better the pressing necessity for switching to electric vehicles. Pollution is the leading environmental cause of sickness and mortality, killing more people than malaria, TB, and HIV/AIDS put together. The global COVID-19 epidemic has brought attention to the link between environmental factors and health by raising the number of premature deaths (Albatayneh et al.).

In addition, according to a different World Bank report, air pollution cost the world 6.1% of its GDP in 2019—or around $8.1 trillion (World Bank par. 2) These results are supported by research, which asserts that 99% of everyone on the planet breathes air that is polluted with sulfur dioxide, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide (Marin 20). The countries with middle- and low-income levels have the most significant exposures.

Many scholars pointed out that these figures are influenced by emissions from the use of fossil fuels in the transportation industry. One of the previously stated dangerous gasses, carbon dioxide, is produced by gas automobiles and is categorized as a greenhouse gas (Ehsani et al. 2). The most susceptible groups to the effects of air pollution include pregnant women, elderly individuals, children, and those with lung infections and other underlying medical conditions (Ehsani et al. 2). The transition to electric cars can help reduce illnesses like strokes, heart attacks, and asthma attacks since the burning of fossil fuels for transportation causes air pollution.

According to research by the American Lung Association, switching from gas to electric automobiles would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 92% by the year 2050, according to Lakhani in The Guardian. By 2050, there would be $1.7 trillion in climate benefits, 13.4 million fewer sick days, 2.8 million fewer asthma episodes, and 110,000 fewer fatalities (Lakhani). These projections assume a complete switchover from polluting fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, including nuclear power, hydroelectricity, wind, and solar, by 2035, a complete switchover to electric trucks by 2040, and a complete switchover to these types of vehicles by 2035 (Lakhani 18). These numbers demonstrate how important electric vehicles are to protecting the environment. People may save money and maintain their health by converting to electric vehicles.

Given the facts above, electrifying vehicles is a crucial mitigation approach to becoming green. The transportation industry is responsible for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions (UNEP, “Global Electric Mobility Programme” 15). Hence, there must be a global implementation of policies to reduce pollution, one of which is the usage of electric vehicles. Significantly, electric cars emit a lower carbon footprint and use less energy. Laramie and Lowry say electric cars use less energy than internal combustion (IC) vehicles when contemporary power plants generate electricity with effective grid networks (14). Utilizing alternative carbon-free energy sources, like nuclear, to generate power further reduces carbon emissions.

Energy Consumption

The policies that aim at reducing energy consumption have been implemented in several countries. For example, other nations may follow the lead of France and Britain. These countries reached carbon reduction since only 10% of the nation’s energy comes from fossil fuel-powered plants. 90% of the energy produced without releasing carbon was nuclear-powered, with 15% coming from hydropower and 75% from nuclear energy. In England, nuclear energy provides 20% of the nation’s power, whereas 10% comes from hydro and wind sources (Patel et al. 32).

Additionally, electric automobiles, as opposed to gas-powered ones, lessen local pollution. Electric cars improve the livability of cities and towns by lowering local exhaust pollutants and carbon dioxide emissions (Patel et al. 17). Policies like the transition to zero-emission cars and the prohibition on leaded gasoline are permanently solved by electric vehicles. Electric cars responsibly manage pollution by sending pollutants to power plants, eliminating IC vehicles’ tailpipe emissions. Total energy use is also reduced when electric car charging occurs on traditional grid infrastructure (Patel et al. 51). Furthermore, electric cars are considered ecologically benign.

The use of oil is also lessened by electric vehicles. Due to the rising oil demand, future oil production may need to utilize fossil fuels like coal (Bieker 51). The author believes that as current oil supplies are practically depleted, the oil must now be extracted from less accessible oil wells. Fuel costs will increase as a result of this (Bieker 51). Therefore, switching to electric cars might remove the world’s need for oil.

Furthermore, owning an electric automobile is less expensive than a gas one. Orvis asserts that the lifetime ownership costs of electric vehicles are lower than those of gasoline-powered vehicles (1). According to Orvis, consumers save money on maintenance and gasoline (1). Moreover, most buyers concentrate on the upfront cost of buying a car, which may be more significant for electric automobiles. However, the savings throughout an electric car’s life surpass the cost of the vehicle itself. According to a poll, over half of Americans believe that automobiles are more expensive than gasoline-powered vehicles, a claim that Orvis disputes and supports with research (1).

According to his research, electric models are less expensive to own in every state in the United States when comparing monthly ownership costs for similar gasoline and electric vehicles, including insurance costs, maintenance costs, fuel costs, federal and state tax credits, rebates, state fees and taxes, and financing costs (Orvis 3). This demonstrates how much better electric vehicles are than gas ones.

However, there are grounds against electrifying vehicles. First, the lithium-ion cells that power most electric cars are made using raw materials that pollute the environment (Girardi and Brambilla 127). The author claims it is difficult to mine the rare earth elements required in batteries, such as lithium and cobalt. For instance, the smelting process used to extract Cobalt from its ore results in the discharge of hazardous pollutants like sulfur oxide into the environment. Additionally, populations close to mining operations are exposed to dangerous slags and tailings seeping into the environment, particularly young children.

Usage of Ecologically Safe Resources

Children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which supplies 70% of the world’s Cobalt, run severe dangers to their safety and health when they mine with hand tools in uncontrolled “artisanal” mines (Girardi and Brambilla 127). Human rights organizations, however, might change this by supporting safer mining practices and waste management in mining areas. Additionally, research focuses on developing batteries that utilize less or no cobalt (Albatayneh et al. 670). Furthermore, battery manufacturers cut ‘artisanal’ Cobalt out of their supply chains (Albatayneh et al. 670). These advancements would enhance this vehicle’s environmental impact and efficiency.

There are also allegations that the manufacture of electric automobiles uses more water than the production of gas-powered vehicles. Vrabie claims that compared to traditional IC engines, the manufacture of electric automobiles requires around 50% more water (2). This is because lithium mines in Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina consume much groundwater to pump out brine, depriving the neighboring population of herders and farmers of adequate water (Vrabie 2). Nevertheless, with the recent emphasis on battery recycling, this scenario could be changed.

In light of prices and environmental effects, electric automobiles are superior to gas ones. Collaboration with other organizations, governments, automakers, and top environmental organizations now vigorously promote rechargeable vehicles (UNEP, “Supporting the Global Shift to Electric Mobility” 7). One is for the Worldwide Energy Agency (IEA) to support international e-mobility goals and policies. At the local level, additional partners include the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the Centro de Movilidad Sostenible.

According to statistics, the number of electric automobiles worldwide increased to 1.2 million in 2011 from less than 250 000 in 1995. (Girardi and Brambilla 127). The figures are anticipated to rise as GM plans to stop making gasoline-powered cars by 2035, and Volvo aspires to deliver an all-electric lineup by 2030. Numerous causes, including economic effectiveness and environmental protection, may be responsible for this growth.

The production of lithium-ion batteries, which power most electric cars, is said to cause environmental pollution, which is one of the counterarguments. Correspondingly, some proponents of gas-powered vehicles claim that the manufacturing of electric vehicles uses more water than gas-powered ones. However, human rights organizations might resolve the previous counter argument by pushing for better mining practices and waste management in mining areas. Therefore, electric vehicles are still advantageous. Additionally, research focuses on developing batteries that utilize less or no cobalt. The supply chains of battery manufacturers are likewise being cleaned of “artisanal” Cobalt. As mentioned above, the efficiency of automobiles and their relationship to the environment would benefit greatly from these advances. The last counterargument is less persuasive because recycling batteries may result in less mining and reduced water use.

Conclusion

Consumers should abandon the idea that electric cars are expensive and support the transition to vehicle electrification for their advantage. People should work to adopt electric cars since pollution is the leading environmental cause of sickness and mortality, killing more people than malaria, TB, and HIV/AIDS put together. The globe will be safer with fewer ailments like strokes, heart attacks, asthma attacks, and pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. A fraction of the global GDP utilized to pay for pollution-related medical care should be put to better use elsewhere. Electric vehicles are the way of the future of energy consumption, which is not as damaging to the planet as it is now.

Works Cited

Al Bataineh, Aiman, et al. Comparison of the Overall Energy Efficiency for Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles and Electric Vehicles.” Environmental and Climate Technologies, 2020, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 669–680. Web.

Bieker, Georg. “A Global Comparison of the Life-Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Combustion Engine and Electric Passenger Cars.” The International Council on Clean Transportation, July, 2021. Web.

Ehsani, Mehrdad, et al. Modern electric, hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles. CRC press, 2018.

Girardi, Pierpaolo, and Brambilla, Paola. “Electric Cars vs Diesel and Gasoline: A Comparative LCA Ranging from Micro-Car to Family Car.” Modern Environmental Science and Engineering, vol. 5, no. 2, 2019, pp. 125-136. Web.

Lakhani, Nina. “US Transition to Electric Vehicles Would Save Over 100,000 Lives By 2050 – Study.” The Guardian. 2022. Web.

Li, Fuhuo, et al. From Vehicles to Grid to Electric Vehicles to Green Grid: Many a Little Makes a Miracle. World Scientific, 2019.

Marin, Radovan. The Influence of Engine and Vehicle Constructions to Fuel Consumption and Air Pollution. Weinheim, Germany, Beltz Verlag, 2020.

Orvis, Robbie. “Most Electric Vehicles Are Cheaper to Own Off the Lot than Gas Cars.” Energy Innovation, 2022. Pp. 1-14.

Patel, Nil, et al. Electric Vehicles: Modern Technologies and Trends (Green Energy and Technology). 1st ed. 2021, Springer.

UNEP. “Global Electric Mobility Programme.” UNEP – UN Environment Programme. Web.

—. “Supporting the Global Shift to Electric Mobility.” UNEP – UN Environment Programme. Web.

Vrabie, Catalin. “Electric Vehicles Optimism versus the Energy Market Reality.” Sustainability, 2022, 14. Pp. 1-15.

Watson, Lisa, Lavack, Anne, M. “Fuel Efficient Vehicles: Fuel Efficient Vehicles: The Role of The Role of Social Marketing.” in Fateh Ali Khan Panni and Hans Ruediger Kaufmann (eds.), Handbook of Research on Consumer Engagement and Buying Behavior, 2018. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, pp. 36-58.

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