electric car research paper pdf
TRANSCRIPT
The Future of the Car Industry
Steven Teitelbaum
Writ Lit II 5th hour
Kopitz
4/8/12
Cars are used by many people all over the world to get them wherever they need
to go. Most of these cars are powered by gasoline, some are powered by alternative fuels,
and some are powered by electricity. Many people consider electric cars to be the future
of the car industry. Electric cars simply use an electric motor to power the car instead of
an engine, and to increase the range, the owner simply recharges a battery inside the car
to power the motor (Debatepedia 1). According to Tesla Motors, an electric car company,
“Tesla possesses a high powered wall connector, which completely recharges the car in
under 4 hours, and at max power, the high powered wall connector charges at a speed of
56 miles range per hour”(Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles Provide Attractive Environmental
Benefits” 6). While electric cars do not have as much range as gas-powered cars, zero
emissions are created by the electric battery, which notably benefits the environment
(Tesla Motors “Go Electric” 1). Electric cars constantly evolve, and will eventually reap
the same capabilities as gas-powered cars, and may one day even surpass the capabilities
of gas-powered cars.
The controversy over whether the car companies should increase production of
electric cars began when electric cars were compared to gas-powered cars as viable
solutions to global warming, or the gradual rise in temperature on the planet, which was
first theorized in 1983 (Collins English Dictionary 1). Believed to be the result of the
accumulation of greenhouse gases, which trap heat in Earth's atmosphere, global
warming, mainly contributed to by human activity, has gradually increased over time
(American Heritage Science Dictionary 1). Humans can release greenhouse gases by
driving because their gas-powered cars emit harmful pollutants (National Academy of
Sciences 1). According to the Environmental Protection Agency's website, “In 2006, the
EPA proclaimed their plan to establish numerous specifications to cars, to limit emissions
and increase mpg, or mileage per gallon, and produce additionally energy efficient
cars”(EPA 2). Specifications set by the EPA, such as a minimum of 54.5mpg by 2025, are
an effort to fulfill President Obama's request to “produce a new generation of clean
vehicles” (Fimrite para 2).
People opposed to a transition of the car industry from gas-powered to electric
cars claim that although electric cars are beneficial to the environment, they are not worth
the purchase because electric cars are not as powerful as gas-powered cars. However,
companies such as Fisker and Tesla do produce powerful electric cars, which are more
powerful than many gas-powered cars, but the high cost of these powerful electric cars
are an unfortunate disadvantage. “Fisker produces an electric car called the Karma, which
features a base price of $96,895 and Tesla offers the Model S at a base price of about
$49,900” (Sherman 2 and Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles Provide Attractive Environmental
Benefits” 7). Some electric car critics state, between a powerful electric car, and a gas-
powered car for the same price, the gas-powered car would reign supreme in a contest of
capability. Also, electric cars are required to be plugged in every night to run the next day,
but as long as the driver remembers to plug their car in, then that does not pose as a
problem. “We think the time has come when car drivers can finally start to have an
impact on the kind of cars that are produced,” Felix Kramer, the founder of the California
Cars Initiative, says (Moore para 1). While some may argue that gas-powered cars still
dominate the car industry, research indicates that electric cars will ultimately prevail over
gas-powered cars because electric cars are convenient to their drivers, they are cost
effective, and they reduce global warming.
To begin, electric cars should replace the production of gas-powered cars because
electric cars are convenient to their drivers. Electric cars provide many benefits to their
drivers that gas-powered cars do not, such as the unrestricted use of HOV lanes, less
maintenance than gas-powered cars, and no need for gas stations. While some owners of
gas-powered cars overlook these benefits, some will transition to electric cars. Electric
cars are overall much more convenient to their drivers than gas-powered cars, which
should be taken into consideration by people and car companies.
A benefit that electric cars provide consists of the unrestricted use of HOV lanes.
According to the Ministry of Transportation, “An HOV, or High Occupancy Vehicle lane
serves as a purpose to slow down, or prevent congestion of traffic on roads. Gas-powered
cars with at least two people can drive in HOV lanes, as well as all electric cars, even if
only one person is in the car” (Ministry of Transportation 1). According to Jeffery F.
Paniati, the Associate Administrator for the Office of Operations of the Federal Highway
Administration, in America, HOV lanes are currently located in Washington D.C. plus
nineteen states, such as Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Utah,
Colorado, Minnesota, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania,
New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts (Paniati 6). HOV lanes are also
located in the Canadian cities of Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal (Paniati 6).
HOV lanes are located all over America, which means that drivers of electric cars can put
their unrestricted use of HOV lanes to use. “The supplementary benefits provided by
electric cars are remarkable,” says David Leonhardt, a business and economics columnist
for the New York Times (Leonhardt para 1). HOV lanes reduce the time of daily
commutes, and are another reason to buy an electric car.
In addition, electric cars don't need as much maintenance as gas-powered cars.
While all cars need maintenance, electric cars need far less than gasoline cars. Tom Barry,
a writer for a monthly magazine, called Georgia Trend, claims, “Electric cars do not
require frequent maintenance” (Barry para 1). Inexpensive maintenance for electric cars,
versus costly maintenance for gas-powered cars, in accumulation to the fact that electric
cars require maintenance less frequently than gas-powered cars, showcases an area where
gas-powered cars fall short (Sallings 2). Electric cars only need check-ups on their
brakes, steering, and battery in comparison to a gas-powered car's maintenance, which
includes replacements of broken parts such as belts, hoses, and cooling systems, as well
as oil changes and check ups on brakes and steering (Barry para 10). Electric cars do not
require many check-ups because electric cars are more energy efficient than gas-powered
cars. Some of the energy needed to propel a vehicle is lost due to resistance (Tesla Motors
“Tesla Vehicles Provide Attractive Environmental Benefits” 2). When a car loses energy,
the car diligently works to recover from lost energy, which causes the car to need more
maintenance. Many electric cars use regenerative braking, which harnesses energy from
when the car brakes, and stores the energy into the battery, but regenerative braking also
makes brakes last longer (Sallings 2). “Drive efficiency for a Tesla Roadster is 88%, and
when contrasted to a gas-powered car, electric cars nearly triple the energy efficiency of a
gas-powered car”(Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles Provide Attractive Environmental
Benefits” 2). Energy-efficient vehicles are not as stressed as inefficient vehicles, which
results in less maintenance (Sallings 2).
Next, electric cars never have to go to gas-stations. Electric cars allow their
owners freedom from the need to refuel at gas-stations, owners of electric cars can
replenish their cars in their garage (Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles Provide Attractive
Environmental Benefits” 6). Electric cars are built to give their owners the independence
to charge “wherever and whenever they want” (Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles Provide
Attractive Environmental Benefits” 6). The freedom bestowed upon electric car owners
to decide when and where to charge their cars gives a significant advantage to electric
cars. Tesla's chargers will plug into a common household outlet (Tesla Motors “Tesla
Vehicles Provide Attractive Environmental Benefits” 6). Electric cars can be plugged-in
before their owner goes to bed, and will be completely replenished by the next morning
(Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles Provide Attractive Environmental Benefits” 6). With one
of Tesla's high powered wall connectors, a Tesla owner can put a few miles on their car in
a matter of minutes (Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles Provide Attractive Environmental
Benefits” 6).
Electric cars are designed to be sufficiently more convenient to their drivers than
gas-powered cars.
As a second argument, electric cars should replace the production of gas-powered
cars because of their cost efficiency. Many people conclude that electric cars are
overpriced, but in reality, electric cars are more cost efficient than gas-powered cars
(Moore para 10). Electric cars are more cost efficient than gas-powered cars because they
cost less over time, offer tax credits, and the electricity that powers an electric car is
much cheaper than gasoline.
Although electric cars display higher initial costs than many gas-powered cars,
electric cars are not necessarily more expensive. The gradual cost of an electric car
compared to the gradual cost of a gas-powered car proves the electric car to be
undoubtedly more inexpensive (Moore para 10). Tom Barry, says, “Although electric
cars are costly, improved technology along with heightened demand will diminish
costs” (Barry para 1). This means primary expenses for electric cars are high, but the
price would only decrease with increased demand, so in the future, overall cost would be
cheaper for electric cars, as well as their initial costs. According to Georgia Power, “Fuel
costs for an electric vehicle are $18.75 per 1000 miles, in contrast to $36 for a
comparable gasoline-powered vehicle (Barry para 10). The fuel costs for gas-powered
cars are almost double the fuel costs for electric cars. According to Felix Kramer, “An
EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute) study affirmed, throughout the duration of an
electric car's life, the entire cost would be less than a gas-powered vehicle” (Moore para
10). The information gathered exhibits that overtime, gas-powered cars cost substantially
more money than an electric car.
Also, electric cars save money with the benefit of tax credits. According to the
IRS (Internal Revenue Service), a $7,500 tax deduction is currently the most bountiful
amount of money credited for the purchase of an electric car, but the amount depends on
the power of the battery inside the car (IRS 1). The United States Government offers a
$2,500 tax credit for the purchase of a Nissan Leaf (Nissan 1). The United States
Government rewards $7,500 as a tax deduction for the acquisition of any Tesla (Tesla
Motors “Go Electric” 1). Since Tesla's cheapest car starts at $49,900, the tax deduction
consists of 15% of the cost (Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles Provide Attractive
Environmental Benefits” 7). The plentiful tax deductions offered by the government on
electric cars are fantastic opportunities to save money.
Next, gas-powered cars have the disadvantage of running on gasoline. Many
people do not enjoy lengthy lines to get gas, gasoline costs are expensive, and the price
constantly rises. According to ABC news, “Gas prices in London, England were $8.17
per gallon in March, and in Istanbul, Turkey the price was $9.63 at one point, according
to DailyFinance” (Kim 1). Other countries also hold high gas prices, such as Japan,
where people often pay about $6.77 per gallon, and in Germany, German people can
expect to pay around $8.35 a gallon (Kim 2 and 3). On average, Americans pay $3.72 for
their gasoline, but one gas station in Long Island, New York held prices which topped
$5.00 per gallon (Dahler 1). Many believe that $5.00 a gallon prices are just a sign of
things to come (Dahler 1). “Petroleum resources are limited, and are predominant sources
of price spikes,” says Tesla Motors (Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles Provide Attractive
Environmental Benefits”1). According to Tesla Motors, “The less the amount of
petroleum, the more the price of petroleum exceeds” (Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles
Provide Attractive Environmental Benefits” 1). Debra A. Miller, an editor for “The Green
Movement” states, “Many car buyers anticipate the day when their cars are energy-
efficient electric cars, which do not require paying for gasoline at capricious
prices” (Miller para 1).
The cheap prices of electricity in comparison to high gas prices, are indeed
sufficient. In electric cars, batteries can be replenished for pennies to the mile with a basic
110-volt power outlet (Moore para 6). For example, electric vehicles such as the Toyota
RAV4 EV, can be driven at fewer than two cents a mile (Moore para 9). According to
EPA estimates, “A typical Chevy Volt driver would pay roughly $2.75 for electricity in
order to travel one hundred miles, or fewer than three cents a mile (Miller para 2). While
gas-powered cars are consistently refueled at outrageous prices, electric cars can be
recharged for a couple of cents per gallon (Moore para 6). Since people have the option to
charge their electric cars overnight while they sleep, electric car owners pay even less for
their cars due to cheaper nighttime electrical rates, which are offered by energy
companies, which means that electric car costs would be incredibly cheap (Moore para
9). According to DTE, “DTE offers a 40% abatement off their regular residential rate if
charging an electric vehicle at night (DTE Energy 1). Most electric car drivers charge
their cars at night, which means that owners of electric cars receive discounted rates for
something in which they would do regardless (Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles Provide
Attractive Environmental Benefits” 5). The cheap cost of electricity does not compare to
the high, unstable, costs of gasoline.
The high initial costs of electric cars bamboozle people to believe that electric
cars are more expensive, when in actuality, they save vast amounts of money to their
consumers by having lower overall costs than gas-powered cars, offering tax credits, and
because electricity prices are much cheaper than gasoline.
As a final argument, electric cars should replace the production of gas-powered
cars because electric cars reduce global warming. Gas-powered cars have been polluting
the Earth ever since the first gas-powered car was created in 1855, by Karl Friedrich
Benz in Germany (Library of Congress 1). In 1997, a study was conducted to find what
global warming's cause was, and the results found that transportation was the largest
contributor, second to industry (National Academy of Sciences 1). In 1997, transportation
accounted for 470 million metric tons carbon dioxide launched into the atmosphere,
which consists of about 26% of all carbon dioxide emissions (National Academy of
Sciences 1). The amount of pollution caused by gas-powered cars exceeds tolerable
levels, and humans must take an initiative to fight global warming. Electric cars can
reduce global warming with the conservation of nonrenewable resources, being powered
by renewable energy, and no release of pollutants into the atmosphere.
Nonrenewable resources as substantial as petroleum, are significant sources of
fuel for the world, but also significant sources of pollution (Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles
Provide Attractive Environmental Benefits” 1). Nonrenewable resources cannot be
restored, which means that once a nonrenewable resource disappears, that resource
vanishes forever. Nothing can be done to completely stop the use of nonrenewable
resources, but humans can still conserve nonrenewable resources. Electric cars are an
ideal way to conserve nonrenewable resources because electric cars can be charged on
one-hundred percent renewable energy (Hawaleshka para 1 and 5 and Tesla Motors “Go
Electric” para 4). Petroleum resources are finite, and little has been done to find an
alternative. The United States controls roughly 2% of the world's petroleum resources,
but uses up 25% of the supply (Tesla Motors “Go Electric” para 6). Transportation uses
nearly two-thirds of petroleum, but the demand constantly rises (Tesla Motors “Go
Electric” para 6). Since petroleum will eventually run out, attenuated dependence on
petroleum now can be achieved by the ownership of an electric car, remains necessary.
Some may argue that electric cars do not reduce use of nonrenewable resources
because electric cars replace the use of petroleum with coal, but electric cars can actually
be powered from 100% renewable, pollutant-free energy (Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles
Provide Attractive Environmental Benefits” para 4). Many owners of electric cars reduce
pollution with the installation of residential solar power systems to charge their cars
completely emission free (Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles Provide Attractive
Environmental Benefits” para 5). Solar power, a form of renewable energy, absorbs
energy from the sun and converts the energy into electricity (Csaba 1). Even if the owner
of an electric car does not use renewable energy to charge their car, they still cut carbon
dioxide emissions in half (Tesla Motors “Go Electric” para 3). Germany has more than
quadrupled the amount of renewable energy used to power the country in less than a
decade, and in Europe, renewable energy should account for 20% of consumption by
2020 (Tesla Motors “Go Electric” para 2). Lessened reliance on petroleum results in
reliance on electricity, which means that if people want to conserve petroleum, then they
will first have to use electric cars (Tesla Motors “Go Electric” para 2).
Perhaps the evidence of electric cars to reduce global warming proves the most
compelling reason for why car companies should replace the role of the gas-powered car
as the dominant figure in the car industry, would be due to the zero emission production
of electric cars (Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles Provide Attractive Environmental Benefits”
para 5). A car that produces absolutely zero emissions could cut pollution tremendously,
and global warming would no longer be a worry. Tailpipe emissions from gas-powered
cars cause problems such as smog and haze (EPA 1). Lisa Caruso, an editor of education,
immigration and transportation for National Journal interviewed Thomas Carper, a
senator and chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on
Clean Air and Nuclear Safety. When Lisa Caruso asked, “Describe what your bill to fund
alternative modes of transportation would do?,” Carper replied,“Roughly thirty percent of
carbon dioxide emissions are due to transportation, such as the cars, trucks, and vans that
people drive. Increased funding in alternative vehicles to help resolve the problem of
pollution, is needed, and although we are currently receiving minimal funds, we will
hopefully receive more plentiful funds soon” (Carper 1). When Carper was then asked,
“Can biking or walking instead of driving make a difference at all in total emissions
emitted each year as a result of transportation?,” Carper responded, “If nothing happens
to change the way people travel, and there are no alternative vehicles to replace cars,
trucks, and vans, then by 2030, there could be a fifty percent increase in the vehicles
miles traveled” (Carper 1). Thomas Carper suggest that not only should funds for
alternative vehicles, such as electric cars be increased, but in order to reduce global
warming, small differences, such as to walk or to bike, can have a major impact on the
amount of emissions released every day. Vehicle exhaust from gas-powered cars contains
harmful chemicals such as NMOG, NMHC, or THC are types of carbon compounds;
N2O, or Nitrous Oxide contributes to smog; CO2, or Carbon Dioxide consist of
poisonous gas, and HCHO, or Formaldehyde, which consists of poisonous gas (EPA 2).
All of these chemicals are released into the atmosphere every day in immense amounts,
and scientists claim that those greenhouse gases will change the planet's climate (EPA 3).
A clean atmosphere with minimal pollutants remains a vision, because in reality, our
atmosphere consists of billions of metric tons of hazardous chemicals, which cause
global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere, and as a result, fills the sky with
smog and a dark haze (National Academy of Sciences 1). Electric cars undoubtedly
triumph over the gas-powered car in terms of which one pollutes less (Sallings 2). No
longer should gas-powered cars continue to ruin our planet with their pollutant filled
emissions.
People have to make the switch to electric cars in order to save our planet because
electric cars reduce global warming with the conservation of nonrenewable resources, by
running on renewable energy, and with no emissions.
However, many electric car critics claim that electric cars should not replace the
production of gas-powered cars because they suffer drawbacks such as a lack in
performance, lengthy time to recharge, and limited range.
Numerous people suggest that electric cars lack power, and do not perform well
(Barry 2 and Sallings 2). Speculation exist, in which an electric motor will never be able
to supply the same kind of power and speed as an internal combustion engine, but the
Fisker Karma, which is an all electric car, holds a top speed of 125mph, and can
accelerate from 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds, which is faster than many gas-powered cars
(Sherman 2). According to Tesla, the Model S can shoot from 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds,
and can reach a top speed of 130mph (Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles Provide Attractive
Environmental Benefits” 8). Both the Fisker Karma and the Tesla Model S, are extremely
fast, especially for electric cars, but the Karma and the Model S are expensive luxury
cars. Cars such as the Chevy Volt, cost adequately less than electric-luxury cars, but the
Volt does not run solely on electricity. The Volt is a hybrid, which runs on gasoline and
electricity, but the Volt, and other hybrids similar to the Volt, serve as templates for the
future of low-priced, fully electric cars (Miller 2). According to Debra A. Miller, an editor
for the “Green Movement,” “The Volt boasts brutal acceleration, and production of
torque at any speed, and the Volt's drivers brag about how the Volt handles marvelously,
as well as incredible traction, in which the Volt acquires (Miller 2).
An additional drawback to electric cars is their significantly longer recharge time
contrasted to a gas-powered car's minimal time to refuel, which consists of a few
minutes. Tesla delivers three different types of chargers, a spare mobile connector, which
should only be used to charge the car for short periods of time to store enough energy to
survive a few miles; a universal mobile connector, which can fully recharge a car in six
hours, and a high power wall connector, which can charge the car entirely in fewer than
four hours (Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles Provide Attractive Environmental Benefits” 6).
Drivers of gas-powered cars have the advantage to pull-up to a gas station whenever they
desire, and refuel their cars in a couple of minutes, when in contrast, drivers of electric
cars spend hours to completely recharge their cars. Although elongated time to recharge
seems to be strong evidence against electric cars, the time to charge is not not as dreadful
as many believe, because the Tesla Model S can retain 300 miles on one charge, and if
the driver predestinates their route, then electric car owners could travel without
depletion of the batteries (Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles Provide Attractive Environmental
Benefits” 8). As technology improves, so will the recharge time of electric cars.
One more disadvantage of electric cars consists of their limited range. Electric
cars do not receive plentiful range, and what they do receive remains affected by how fast
they are being driven (Sallings 2). That means, the driver must be careful about how fast
to drive, because if they speed too much, then their range will be compromised. Electric
cars are weak in the area of road trips, because if the distance of a trip exceeds an electric
car's range, then the car will not be able to survive the whole way on one charge, and with
few amounts of charging stations around the world, then the only way to charge the car
would be to stay overnight somewhere, and charge the car with a mobile charger (Tesla
Motors “Tesla Vehicles Provide Attractive Environmental Benefits” 5). In the future,
when more charging stations exist, then a road trip in an electric car will be more than
possible (Tesla Motors “Tesla Vehicles Provide Attractive Environmental Benefits” 5). If
an owner of an electric car wants to take a trip across the country, then they can simply
take an alternative mode of transportation, such as an airplane as a solution.
Although electric cars face several drawbacks, the positive features exceed those
drawbacks, and with new technology, electric cars will soon exist with no defects
whatsoever.
In conclusion, although some people agree that gas-powered cars are, and will
always remain superior, research indicates that electric cars are the future of the car
industry because electric cars are convenient to their drivers, they are cost effective, and
they reduce global warming. Electric cars are convenient to their drivers because electric
cars allow their drivers the use of HOV lanes, require less maintenance, and electric cars
can be charged from an owners home. Electric cars are cost effective because they
maintain cheaper overall costs than gas-powered cars, offer tax credits, and electricity is
cheaper than gas. Electric cars reduce global warming because electric cars conserve
nonrenewable resources, can be powered by renewable energy, and produce zero
emissions.
In order to achieve the replacement of gas-powered car production with electric
car production, individual steps must be taken. Many say that in order to transition to an
electric car based industry, one must first transition to a hybrid car industry. A hybrid
based car industry would be a way to ease into an electric car based industry, and a hybrid
based car industry would offer people the chance to get use to the idea of ownership of an
electric car. As people switch to hybrids, car companies should conduct more research on
electric cars until they develop an electric car with minimal limitations. Once advanced
technology improves electric cars, car companies should then advertise the new and
ameliorated electric car. The new electric cars should then start to be sold by car
companies. With advertisements of new electric cars, people will begin to look at, and
buy electric cars, thus progressing towards an electric car industry. The Federal
Government should constitute laws for car companies, to enforce the increased
production of electric cars. When electric cars gain popularity, and many people concur
with an electric car based industry, then car companies should gradually begin to reduce
the production of gas-powered cars. In the end, the car industry will revolve around the
inevitably dominant electric car.
Works Cited
Barry, Tom. "Electric Cars Can Reduce Air Pollution." Www.energyalternative.com.
Opposing Viewpoints, May 1999. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/
ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?
displayGroupName=Viewpoints&disableHighlighting=false&prodId=OVIC&acti
on=e&windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE
%7CEJ3010220227&mode=view&userGroupName=lom_lahserhs&jsid=b08344
cf6051d2bc2c8e6ac4fd59a85a>. This website article is written by Tom Barry, a
writer for a monthly magazine, called Georgia Trend. Tom Barry contends in the
following viewpoint that electric cars do not pollute the atmosphere the way
gasoline-powered vehicles do. In addition, Barry claims that electric cars are fast
and require little maintenance. He explains that although electric cars are
expensive, new technology, and increased demand will lower cost and improve
their traveling range. The main drawback to electric vehicles has been their
limited range (60-70 miles without recharging), few recharging stations and
relatively high cost. Manufactured by General Motors, the EV1 comprises about
one-half of the Georgia Power fleet. Drivers expect sluggish and get quick, for the
137-horsepower, 2,970-lb. EV1 can go from 0 to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds. "The
internal combustion engine will be around for a long time, and until the prices on
electric vehicles get a little lower, you won't see much demand," he says. "But
with the air problems we have today, people are starting to look at alternatives.
And if more limitations are put on gasoline vehicles or gas taxes go up, they'll
look even more." Barry supports these things by talking about how people are
taking steps to helping the environment..This article contains detailed information
on capabilities and prices of electric cars, which would be good for me to talk
about throughout my essay.
Carper, Thomas. "(Don't) Start Your Engines." Interview by Lisa Caruso. National
Journal 20 Nov. 2009. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 11 Feb. 2012.
<http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/AcademicJournalsDetailsPage/
AcademicJournalsDetailsWindow?
displayGroupName=Journals&disableHighlighting=false&prodId=OVIC&action
=e&windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE
%7CA212589174&mode=view&userGroupName=lom_lahserhs&jsid=a97d07e2
02e0de732529cd064d6dc295>. This interview was done by Lisa Caruso, an editor
of education, immigration and transportation for National Journal. She
interviewed Senator of Delaware, and chairman the Senate Environment and
Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, Thomas Carper,
and gathered statements about why he feels so strongly about reducing
greenhouse-gas emissions from vehicles. Carper states, " If we do nothing about
trying to change the way people travel and use alternatives to our cars, trucks, and
vans, by 2030 [we could see] a 50 percent increase in the vehicle miles traveled."
More mileage traveled means even more emissions released into the air. Carper
believes people should walk around to where they need to go. Carper supports
himself by stating, "The idea is to take some of the money generated from our
climate-change legislation and use it to provide, among other things, bikeways,
pedestrian walkways, sidewalks, and so forth," and saying that it is very easy to
cut down on pollutant emitting vehicles by walking or riding bikes to get around.
This article contains information that I could use as logos and pathos information
because the article provides statistics, as well as arguments from Thomas Carper's
emotion.
Collins English Dictionary, Douglas Harper, and The American Heritage Science
Dictionary. "Global Warming Facts and Our Future - Causes of Change - Human
Activity and Greenhouse Gases." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, 2010. Web. 8
Apr. 2012. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/global warming?s=t>.
Csaba, Nilgesz. "Solar Energy Live." SolarEnergyLive.com. SolarEnergyLive.com, 2008.
Web. 8 Apr. 2012. <http://solarenergylive.com/>.
Dahler, Don. "A Sign Of Things To Come? Gas Prices Top $5 Per Gallon On Long
Island." Newyork.cbslocal.com. Cable News Network, 28 Feb. 2012. Web. 8 Apr.
2012. <http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/02/28/gas-prices-around-5-00-on-long-
island/>.
Debatepedia. "Debate: Electric Vehicles." Debatepedia. Debatepedia, 10 Aug. 2011. Web.
8 Apr. 2012. <http://debatepedia.idebate.org/en/index.php/
Debate:_Electric_vehicles>.
DTE. "Plug-In Electric Vehicle Rates." DTE Energy. DTE Energy Company, 2012. Web.
8 Apr. 2012. <http://www.dteenergy.com/residentialCustomers/billingPayment/
electricRate/pevRate.html>.
Environmental Protection Agency. "About the Ratings." About the Ratings.
Environmental Protection Agency, 12 Mar. 2012. Web. 8 Apr. 2012. <http://
ofmpub.epa.gov/greenvehicles/Aboutratings.do>.
Fimrite, Peter, ed. "Even Carmakers Back New EPA Mileage Requirements." San
Francisco Chronicle 25 Jan. 2012, C4 sec. Http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/.
Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://
ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/NewsDetailsPage/NewsDetailsWindow?
displayGroupName=News>. This newspaper article is written by Peter Fimrite, a
staff writer for the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper. He states in his
article,"EPA mileage requirements are being touted as the most ambitious attempt
yet to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money on gas, spur innovation and
create what the president called "a clean energy economy." Fimrite believes that
people should buy electric cars because it is a small change in for people, but it
makes a big difference. Peter Fimrite backs up his information with statements
from car companies such as Tesla, Toyota, and Chrysler saying that the new EPA
mileage requirements will be good for their businesses. This article contains
thorough information that I could use as Logos information, because it provides
many statistics. This article also has information from what the car companies had
to say, so this article provides a different perspective on electric cars.
Hawaleshka, Danylo. "Alternative Vehicles Should Replace Gasoline-Powered Cars."
Editorial. Macleans 20 Nov. 2000. Opposing Viewpoints® Series. Web. 12 Feb.
2012. <http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/
ViewpointsDetailsWindow?
displayGroupName=Viewpoints&disableHighlighting=false&prodId=OVIC&acti
on=e&windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE
%7CEJ3010220225&mode=view&userGroupName=lom_lahserhs&jsid=5aeb000
2ab09ba7ad863fd5d87f35e69>. This online magazine article was written by
Danylo Hawaleshka, a writer for Maclean's magazine. Danylo Hawaleshka claims
that it is important to develop alternative vehicles because the oil used to produce
gasoline for traditional cars is running out. Ford will offer its Escape sport-utility
hybrid in 2003, and General Motors expects to release its full-size Chevrolet
Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups in 2004, improving fuel economy by nearly 15
per cent. DaimlerChrysler is developing its Durango SUV hybrid for 2003, saying
it will boast 20-per-cent better mileage than the gas-powered version. Hawaleshka
supports himself by stating, "gas-electric hybrids and natural gas vehicles are
currently being used to cut oil consumption, and in the future, fuel-cell vehicles
may provide a permanent solution to the oil shortage," and these claims are
backed up by research in fuel cell vehicles and various studies that have been
done on the use of electric cars. This article contains information that is extremely
helpful to me because it is more closely related to my research question, than any
of my other articles, and talks about what not switching to electric cars could do
to the planet.
Internal Revenue Service. "Plug-In Electric Vehicle Credit (IRC 30 and IRC 30D)."
Internal Revenue Service. Internal Revenue Service, 24 May 2011. Web. 8 Apr.
2012. <http://www.irs.gov/businesses/article/0,,id=214841,00.html>.
KIM, SUSANNA. "5 Shocking Gas Prices Around the Globe." ABC News. ABC News
Network, Apr. 2011. Web. 8 Apr. 2012. <http://abcnews.go.com/Business/
shocking-gas-prices-globe/story?id=13349235>.
Leonhardt, David. "Gasoline-Electric Cars Do Not Reduce Fuel Use." The New York
Times 8 Feb. 2006, P. C1 sec. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 8 Feb.
2012. <http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/
ViewpointsDetailsWindow?
displayGroupName=Viewpoints&disableHighlighting=false&prodId=OVIC&acti
on=e&windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE
%7CEJ3010426233&mode=view&userGroupName=lom_lahserhs&jsid=795b54
20611dab6923c35b90d2685e22>. This newspaper article is written by David
Leonhardt, a business and economics columnist for the New York Times. He
states, "Hybrids have the most overblown mileage ratings in the auto industry,"
which means he is against hybrids because they do not reduce fuel use, even
though car companies say they do. David Leonhardt firmly believes, "Hybrids are
an expensive symbol that they're worried about our planet, rather than a true
solution." The Prius gets 55 miles to the gallon, but Consumer Reports says, the
car really goes 44 miles on a gallon of gas, which means that hybrids are not quite
as good as they really seem. A typical driver of a Prius will use about 250 fewer
gallons of gasoline each year than somebody would in a Toyota Corolla, which
gets 29 miles a gallon. David Leonhardt supports his information from personal
experience, stating, "When I used a Prius... —and there is no denying that it's a
great car to drive—I got 45mpg in Manhattan and on local highways," which
agrees with the consumer reports. Because the author wrote part of this article
from personal experience, this article is a primary source. This article is useful
because it includes information on the pros and cons of electric cars, which are
helpful because it helps me think from two perspectives.
The Library of Congress. "Who Invented the Automobile?" Who Invented the
Automobile? (Everyday Mysteries: Fun Science Facts from the Library of
Congress). Everyday Mysteries, 29 July 2011. Web. 8 Apr. 2012. <http://
www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/auto.html>.
Miller, Debra A., ed. "Preface to "Is Going Green Worth the Extra Costs to Consumers?"
The Green Movement. Greenhaven Press, 2010. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://
ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?
displayGroupName=Reference>. This reference article is written by Debra A.
Miller, an editor for "The Green Movement." She believes electric cars are good
for the environment, but they are too expensive. GM estimates that pricing will
start around $40,000, although government rebates of $7,500 may get the actual
purchase price down to $32,500. Information in this article is supported by GM
claims and the EPA, because GM provides information on the Chevy Volt's
features, while the EPA provides estimations on the Chevy Volt's mpg rating. This
article contains information on the "pros" and "cons" of electric cars, which will
be useful to me in my article because it creates unbiased information.
Ministry of Transportation. "High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes." Ministry of
Transportation. Ministry of Transportation, 2007. Web. 8 Apr. 2012. <http://
www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/hov/>.
Moore, J. William. "Plug-in Gasoline-Electric Cars Are Efficient." Evworld.com.
EVWorld.com, Inc., 1 May 2004. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/
ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?
displayGroupName=Viewpoints&disableHighlighting=false&prodId=OVIC&acti
on=e&windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE
%7CEJ3010426229&mode=view&userGroupName=lom_lahserhs&jsid=24f4959
30b2c8b6c5c46ad116f28149c>. This website article is written by J. William
Moore, the editor of EV World, an online journal promoting hybrid vehicles. He
states, "The goal of the initiative is to encourage the development of plug-in
hybrid-electric cars." He also points out, "The batteries would be recharged for
essentially pennies to the mile from the local power grid using common 110-volt
household current, or even from the homeowner's wind generator or solar electric
panels." The point is to shift the energy inputs from gasoline, 60 percent of which
is now imported into the USA, to electric power stored in a larger battery bank on
the car. J.D. Powers and Associates reports that 35% of car buyers are interested
in hybrid cars and 85% of hybrid car owners would pay more for their cars.
Unlike today's hybrids, which don't require recharge from the electric power grid,
plug-in hybrids could be plugged in, an option usually not seen as an advantage,
until you start to consider the potential operating cost-savings to consumers, as
well as improvements to the local environment. The energy to run the car would
come from indigenous, even renewable sources rather than increasingly costly
imported petroleum. This article contains a surplus of information that I will be
able to use in my introduction, because it provides background knowledge.
National Academy of Sciences. "Global Warming Facts and Our Future - Causes of
Change - Human Activity and Greenhouse Gases." Marian Koshland Science
Museum of the National Academy of Sciences. National Academy of Sciences,
2012. Web. 8 Apr. 2012. <http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/exhibitgcc/
causes03.jsp>.
Paniati, Jeffery F. "US DOT Congestion Initiative Urban Partnership Agreements."
Ops.fhwa.dot.gov. FHWA Office of Operations, 7 Sept. 2007. Web. 8 Apr. 2012.
<http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/speeches/ntoc2007/index.htm>.
Sallings, Lee. "Electric vs. Gas Cars." EHow. Demand Media, 24 Sept. 2009. Web. 8 Apr.
2012. <http://www.ehow.com/about_5456046_electric-vs-gas-cars.html>.
Sherman, Don. "2012 Fisker Karma." Car and Driver. Car and Driver, Feb. 2011. Web. 8
Apr. 2012. <http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2012-fisker-karma-test-
review>.
Tesla Motors. "Go Electric - The Benefits of Driving an Electric Car." Teslamotors.com.
Tesla Motors, 19 Jan. 2010. Web. 8 Apr. 2012. <http://www.teslamotors.com/
goelectric>.
Tesla Motors. "Tesla Vehicles Provide Attractive Environmental Benefits." Environmental
Benefits of Driving an Electric Car. Tesla Motors, 22 Dec. 2009. Web. 8 Apr.
2012. <http://www.teslamotors.com/goelectric/environment>.