Electric Cars

When we think of alternative sources of energy for cars, the first thing that comes to mind is often the electric car.  Electric cars have been on the market for a while now and have been growing, if slowly, in popularity.  The range and quality of electric options are also increasing modestly but surely.  Around the world, research is being done to make electric batteries lighter, longer lasting, and more affordable. The Formula E series is one of many indicators of curiosity about electric cars and determination to make them work for our lifestyle.  And since we're interested in this option for our personal vehicles, car companies are interested, too.

The Simpsons test drive the Elec-Taurus and subsequently
drive it into the ocean. (Please don't drive your
electric car into the ocean.) 

For some reason, the general consensus is that the economy and the environment are at odds. But nothing could be further from the truth! Economic and environmental interests agree in numerous ways, but when it comes to electric cars, the most important one is this:  globally, climate change is accepted as science and many countries are addressing it.  Technology comes into play with this kind of problem solving and the greenest options are likely to win out.  If the United States can't keep up with this ecologically friendly innovation, we're kicking ourselves out of the global market.  

Even in just the US, though, electric cars can benefit our economy. We as a society are learning about our environmental impacts and want to assuage them.  We want alternatives to fossil fuels, and automakers are listening.  It isn't just environmental scientists doing research with grant money who want to build a better battery.  GM, Nissan, Tesla, and others are working hard to respond to the problems of electric cars, because if they can, we'll buy them.  It doesn't matter if we want to save the planet, quit foreign oil, or just stop having to go to the gas station. If we want it, car companies want to sell it to us.

According to GM, 40% of car buyers would consider going electric if improvements are made, compared to the current fraction of only 5%.  What sort of improvement?  It comes down to manufacturing an electric car that keeps the consumer's peace of mind intact.  Hybrids are great for mpg but can be filled up at a gas station.  True electric cars, which use no gasoline at all, can only go a certain number of miles before they have to be recharged.  On top of that, recharging can take several hours and there aren't many convenient places to plug it in.  Even though most electric cars can easily cover the average person's daily miles, it may not be easy to commit to a car that is difficult to recharge once it runs out of power.

Unfortunately, it's hard to sufficiently increase the range of the current lithium-ion battery technology without it being too large to fit in a personal vehicle.  For this reason, some think the lithium-ion battery is on its last legs. The goal is to increase the density of energy generated by a battery, meaning a smaller battery can produce more power.  At the same time, electric cars need to be mass produced to make a difference, so the materials must be accessible, abundant, and ideally, renewable. Sulfur, magnesium, oxygen, or sodium could make up the next generation of electric car batteries.  

But what's all this research worth if electric cars aren't actually that green?  At first glance, sure, it's great that  an electric car produces absolutely no emissions itself.  The problem is that you have to plug it in, and if your grid energy comes from coal, than the electric car you thought was eco-conscious really just runs on coal.  If that's the case, shouldn't you just go for a hybrid?  At least you'd be burning gasoline instead of lignite, the extremely dirty-burning variety of coal we're resorting to as our stock runs out.

I'm going to vote no.  Go electric!

Here's why:  Yes, your brand new environmentally friendly car could pollute just as much as a gas-powered car.  But only at first. As power companies transition to renewable sources of energy, your coal-powered car can become a solar or wind car.  This makes an electric car a better investment than a hybrid because it can become completely carbon neutral itself.  You won't have to buy a new one when technology catches up; you just have to wait for your energy provider to get off fossil fuels.  We also have to keep telling automakers we like electric cars and the loudest way to do that is with our wallets.  When companies create products we like, we reward them by giving them our business.  Capitalism--the system works!

My final assessment?  The issues with electric cars won't last long.  Electric cars are relatively popular even now, so it's no surprise to discover that this is a great option for the car of the future.