Image via Complex Original
The viability of electric vehicles has been in question since they were introduced into the automotive world. People didn't really take them seriously, at first, and considering the time and money that was being put into the research, that's not really surprising. However, like every other product that has made an impact, creative minds, new solutions, and increasing popularity has made them a huge priority in the ongoing efforts to rely less on gasoline as a source of fuel.
Thanks heavily in part to the brilliant mind of Elon Musk, EVs have begun to take on a bit of a different face. People are starting to believe in them more, and it seems that they could finally provide a realistic alternative for everybody to use. But is that a good thing? We take a look at some of the factors in question, so you can make your own decision. Here are 5 Reasons Electric Cars Are the Solution to Oil Dependency, and 5 Reasons They Aren't.
For: Save the Environment
It isn't only the air around you that needs protection. The ground below needs love too. Searching for new sources of energy can wreck the landscape. Look no further than fracking. People who sell the fracking rights to their land can make a quick buck with grave consequences in the long run. Many people's water supply becomes so contaminated that water out of the spout catches fire. Yeah, en fuego. No ammount of money can justify that shade.
For: Range Isn't as Important as You Think
Unless you're a trucker or on a road trip, who actually drives hundreds of miles per day? You don't need to drive anywhere on an average day besides work, lunch and a whatever errand(s) you have to run. In fact, the Average American only drives 45 miles per day, according to the Department of Transportation. So you don't need to go for miles and miles and miles on one full charge. Quit complaining about something you don't actually need.
For: Energy Efficiency
Approximately 60-80 percent of the energy generated by the internal combustion engine is wasted. UP TO 80 PERCENT. Calling it inefficient is an understatement. There are many reasons for the loss of energy, including heat, friction, and pumping air in and out of the engine. In electric cars those losses drop down to about 25 percent. A Nissan Leaf can go 40 miles on 11 kiowatt-hours of energy, the equivalent of a third of gallon of gas.
For: Save Money
Gas ain't cheap. While fuel economy continues to improve, gas prices aren't. The average gas price as this is being written is $3.64 per gallon, up more than $2 from ten years ago. Inflation doesn't even come close to justifying the spike. Imagine what you could do if you didn't have to pour your hard-earned money into your tank each week, two weeks, whatever. Chance are you're not balling out with a fat salary, so that extra cash in your pocket isn't negligble. Just $50 more a month is enough for you to hit Chipotle five times-quac included, because what's the point otherwise?
For: Help Prevent Global Warming
Apart from a few stubborn and extreme Republicans, we can all agree that Global Warming is a thing. And calling it a theory doesn't destroy its credibility. Every scientific explanation is a theory, a correct theory. With that out of the way, we need to figure out how to prevent global warming from getting worse. Otherwise we're just like a dude who knows his girlfriend's pissed because he doesn't share how he feels, but continues to be emotionally distant. Simply recognizing the problem isn't enough.
By replacing gas-powered vehicles, electric cars can eliminate a significant ammount of pollution from entering the atmosphere each year. An average vehicle adds 5.1 metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year, according to a report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Let's go low and suggest that a quarter of the vehicles in the United Sates be replaced with electric vehicles. The ammount of CO2 in the air we breath would decrease by nearly 313 million tons each year. You don't have to be a hippie to appreciate that fact.
Against: Long Charge Time
Ideally you would charge your car every night when you get home. But what if you're out all night, drive back home, and are running out of juice. You have shit to do, which makes you not only hate the hangover, but also that you'll be sitting around waiting for you car to charge. Depending on the type of charger you have, it can take anywhere from 4-12 hours to fully charge your car. Apparently Musk is in the process of changing this issue with his speedy superchargers, but in order for it to really catch on, we need major auto makers to follow his lead.
Against: Less Power
Sure, it's possible to have a powerful electric car. It'll just cost you anywhere from $70,000-$100,000. Tesla and Detroit Electric are putting out cars that combine respinsible energy with irresonsible speed. But nobody else is. A Nissan Leaf is likely more within your budget, and that's not going to satisfy any drag racing fantasies. My '98 Ford Contour has a higher top speed, and that car sucks. Besides, some people who actually like to hear the power coming from their cars, EVs just ain't gonna cut it.
Against: We Should Focus on Hydrogen
The biggest problem with electric cars is their dependence on expensive, heavy batteries. Those batteries eventually go bad, leading to a tremendous ammount of waste. Enter hydrogen fuel cells. They convert hydrogen fuel into an electric current, and, unlike batteries, don't lose their charge as long as there's fuel. The problem is that the technlogy is still underdeveloped. It's still years away from being cheap enough for the mass market, and the infrastructure is even less available than electric. More attention and more importance placed upon improving fuel cells can lead to a better alternative than both combustion and electric cars.
Against: Limited Range
Maybe we don't need a fat mile range with a full charge, but that doesn't mean we don't want it. Nobody really needs a 64 gig iPhone, but it's nice to have the freedom. If you want to take a road trip, you'll have to rent a car. Oh, you're under 25? It's either impossible or mad expensive, depending on where you live. If you do take your electric car, you'll have to stop every time you run out of juice to charge up. Somehow that doesn't sound like a fun vacation.
Again, we will remind everybody that Musk has a plan for superchargers to be planted across the U.S. in the near future, but, again, we'll remind everybody that that is one automaker that will be on the pricier side of the the EV range. It takes more than one to legitimize this.
Against: Cost
Electric vehicles might save you some dough on gas, but the car itself won't come cheap. Let's take a look at a few of the most popular models in the U.S. right now. Before the $7,500 Federal tax credit, the Nissan Leaf starts at $28,800, which is still a lot of money for the average household income (which floats around $50,000). The cheapest Tesla Model S starts at just under $70,000 (though, he just announced that a cheaper model is coming). The Tesla Roadster's price tag is more daunting at $101,500. Finally the Ford Focus Electric has a $39,200 MSRP. Meanwhile, a regular Ford Focus starts at $16,200. Until prices go down significantly, which fortunately does seem like an inevitability, electric cars won't become widely popular.
