Electric Cars Essay, Research Paper

In numerous cities across the country, the personal automobile is the single greatest polluter, as emissions from million of vehicles on the road add up. Car pollution is one of the biggest polluters the solution is to have much more efficient vehicles that produce fewer emissions with every mile. So what would be the best thing for cars to run off of in the future?

Electric vehicles are the answer to this problem. Electric vehicles or EVs, are vehicles that are powered by an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine (Frequently). EVs use electricity as the “fuel” instead of gasoline or some other combustible fuel. The power for the vehicle is stored in many large batteries in the bottom of the car, then from there the power goes to a power regulator where it is changed from DC power to AC power. The engine only has one moving part, which send the power directly to the wheels. Therefore it does all the primary functions of a gas engine with no emissions. (Automobile) With technology like this one might guess who is going to jump on the electric vehicle bandwagon right away.

The major auto manufactures are producing high-performance electric vehicles, such as General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, and many foreign companies as well, in a wide range of style and sizes. They include passenger cars, mini-vans, sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks. Also there are some as small as bicycles and motor scooters and as big as busses. (Frequently)

The EV is environmentally friendly (Automobile). Electric vehicles are today’s zero-emission vehicles (Technology). The EV releases no pollutant because it has no tailpipe. Therefore, making it safe for the environment. Instead of gas stations, EVs get their “fuel” from electric power stations.

An electric powered engine has many has many benefits over a gas engine in the comfort department as well. EVs offer a quiet fume-free, smooth driving experience. Since the motor does not operate when the vehicle is at a stop, an EV has no “idle” noises (Frequently).

EVs provide fast acceleration by delivering power instantly to the wheels by providing high torque at low speeds, they give a feel of smooth and quick responsiveness (Technology). Well-designed EVs like those produced by major auto companies, travel at speeds equivalent to conventional vehicles and offer all the same safety and high-speed performance features.

The EV also has low operating costs. The per-mile fuel cost of operating an EV can be less than one-third that of a gasoline-powered car (Frequently). EV owners also say goodbye to many familiar maintenance costs, no more tune-ups, oil changes or muffler replacements (Technology).

Another advantage of an EV is the convince of no gas stations. EV drivers like that “refueling” can be done overnight, easily and safely at home or at public locations like shopping centers, where electric charging units have been installed.

Electric vehicles are very safe. The EVs produced by major companies meet all safety requirements. As the EV becomes more popular the safety record is being safety monitored. To date, findings are positive and have shown that numerous EV vehicles maximize safety. For example EVs have lower center of gravity that makes them less likely to roll over. EVs have also less potential for major fires or explosions. And the body construction and durability of EVs enhance the vehicle safety in an accident (Technology).

A question that many people ask is “where and how can I buy or lease an EV?” The dealerships selling EVs are limited at this time, because the industry is just beginning to emerge. As EVs become more popular, the network of EV dealerships that sell and service EVs will grow. Several major auto companies are now making EVs available on a lease basis so that customers will not have to worry about maintenance and so that they can minimize the risk associated with the purchase of new technology (Technology).

Prices for the first EVs from the major auto manufactures range from the low $30,000’s to mid $40,000’s for purchase, or from $399 per month on up for lease (Frequently). EVs are also expected to have lower routine maintenance costs, since they have fewer moving parts that internal combustion engines, and don’t require tune-ups or oil changes, but some EVs require battery pack replacements.

With all the pollution from factories, homes, and automobiles the days of clear skies may be limited. With all the new technology that has come about on electric vehicles we will cut back on pollution in leaps and bounds. We all saw movies about cars from the future and thought they would run on electric and fly, well we might not see cars flying for some time yet but now we are seeing the electric car coming out of the movies and into real life

Bibliography

Work Cited

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“Frequently Asked Questions About EVs”. Electric Vehicle Association of America

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“The Technology”. Alternative Energy and transportation Site (1999).

http://members.tripod.com/-water_engine/intro.html (13 Dec. 1999)