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The Gas vs. Electric Car Debate Draft:
Exploring Advantages, Environmental Implications, and Future Fuel Sources
The ongoing debate surrounding the future viability and environmental impact of electric cars has captured significant attention in recent years. As the automotive industry continues to undergo this massive shift, one primary question arises: Do gas-powered vehicles still possess overall advantages over electric vehicles? This research essay aims to explore this question, examining the pros and cons of both gas-powered and electric vehicles from consumer, manufacturing, environmental, and economic perspectives. Furthermore, it seeks to challenge the widely accepted narrative favoring electric vehicles while considering alternative fuel sources for the future.
The gas vs. electric car debate involves a broad audience, ranging from automobile enthusiasts to consumers deciding which type of vehicle aligns with their values, reliability needs, and price points. This research intends to provide readers with a logical perspective on the subject, based on facts and reasoning rather than biased narratives. As the writer, I aim to maintain a neutral standpoint, exploring viewpoints from various ends of the spectrum to effectively address the wide audience.
The benefits of this research extended beyond personal interests, as it enhanced my understanding of the economic and environmental aspects of different power sources in the automotive industry. Readers will be able to better understand the complexity of this debate and make informed decisions as consumers. Additionally, this essay aims to shed light on the lesser-known aspects of electric vehicles that the media often fails to present, offering a better understanding of their true impact. The paper will use a wide range of sources, including academic research papers, articles from reputable institutions, industry reports, and expert opinions from the automotive industry to back all claims.
To begin, this essay will analyze the pros and cons of both gas-powered and electric vehicles as well as examine the advantages each offer. Gas-powered vehicles are known for their convenience, extended range, and the existing refueling infrastructure America relies on. On the other hand, electric vehicles market their reduced emissions, lower operating costs, the potential for renewable energy integration, and the growing charging infrastructure. However, it is essential to dive deeper into the disadvantages associated with each type. Gas-powered vehicles depend heavily on fossil fuels which brings up environmental concerns while electric vehicles face limitations in charging infrastructure, hidden industry secrets, and complex economic and environmental implications. In the following pages of the essay, we will explore media bias towards electric vehicles, uncover the hidden aspects and environmental impacts of the automotive industry, and explore potential future fuel sources for sustainable transportation in America.
The media has a strong influence on shaping public opinion and the gas vs. electric car debate is no exception. It is important to examine the reasons behind the media's bias toward electric vehicles and the potential implications it may have on consumers and future decisions. One reason for the media's lean toward electric vehicles has to do with the environmental story they promote. Electric vehicles have been portrayed as the saviors of our planet because of their said zero-emission capabilities and potential to reduce carbon footprints. While it is true that electric vehicles produce lower emissions during operation, there are hidden environmental costs related with their manufacturing and battery production. The media often overlooks these aspects, presenting an incomplete picture to the public. Additionally, American society is obsessed with innovation and technological advancements. This plays a significant role in the bias towards electric vehicles. The want of cutting-edge technology and the idea of futuristic transportation generates public excitement. Specifically, this idea is overshadowing the practical considerations and limitations of electric vehicles, such as charging infrastructure constraints, range and production methods.
However, media bias is not limited to one side. Some outlets may present a more balanced perspective, acknowledging both the benefits and drawbacks of electric vehicles. The Guardian New & Media came out with a piece, Are Electric Vehicles Really So Climate Friendly? In which they state, "Electric vehicles also emit substantial amounts of CO2, the only difference being that the exhaust is released at a remove - that is, at the power plant. [...] ...enormous amounts of fossil fuels are used to produce EV batteries in China and elsewhere, offsetting the supposed emissions reduction." (Sinn) Despite being a three year old article it is still factual in current times. Backed by scientific data and industry reports, the article shows the true economic impact these "eco-friendly" vehicles have.
Going beyond the standard media bias, it is important to explore the hidden aspects and over all environmental impacts of the automotive industry. While electric vehicles are seen as a green alternative for the future of transportation in America, it is critical to consider the start to finish life of these vehicles. It all starts with the manufacturing process. Electric vehicle production requires a large amount of energy and resources. This includes rare-earth metals and minerals for their many batteries. It can be seen that the mining process of many of these materials are unethical, have extreme environmental consequences and are not at all sustainable. "A study by New York University and the Geneva Center for Business and Human Rights finds that major auto, battery and electronics manufacturers are doing too little to ensure the cobalt they're using doesn't involve child labor at Congo's numerous unsafe "artisanal" mines." (Forbes) The director of NYU's Stern Center for Business and Human Rights, Michael Posner stated that around 80% of the world's cobalt is produced from the Congo and 20% of that comes from said artisanal mines. He said, "One way or another, if you're a big auto company, [...] or battery manufacturer, informal artisanal mined cobalt is part of your supply chain." (Forbes) Despite being a rare Earth metal, cobalt is essential to the production of batteries for electric vehicles. This means that a portion of the cobalt used in the production of electric vehicle batteries is from the use of slave labor, child labor, and underpaid workers earning as little as £2.60 ($3.50) per day (Pattisson).
In contrast, the production of gas-powered vehicles has its own environmental problems. This includes the extraction, refinement and use of fossil fuels for gasoline. Additionally, the production of combustion engines involve resource-intensive processes and use of materials like steel and aluminum which are more common but still leave an environmental footprint. Challenges also include carbon emissions. Despite this there have been many advancements in emission control and manufacturing efficiency from American policy makers and gas powered automotive manufacturers including the potential use of biofuels. MIT Climate wanted to compare the manufacturing and production process of both vehicle types and came to a conclusion based on their research. "The use of minerals including lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are crucial for modern EV batteries, requires using fossil fuels to mine those materials and heat them to high temperatures. As a result, building the 80 kWh lithium-ion battery found in a Tesla Model 3 creates between 2.5 and 16 metric tons of CO2 [...] This intensive battery manufacturing means that building a new EV can produce around 80% more emissions than building a comparable gas-powered car." (MIT) With new advancements coming out every day, both vehicle types become more economically and environmentally viable; however it may not be time to make the jump to an all-electric America.
Taking a closer look at fuel sources, electric vehicles rely solely on electricity for power. Electric power is seen as clean due to the fact that it does not produce any emissions during operation. This makes EV's look great when addressing air pollution compared to gas powered vehicles which produce C02 as a byproduct of usage. However, it is essential to consider where the electricity used to charge comes from in the first place.
There are a plethora of ways we generate electricity in America. The two main categories are renewable and non renewable. Renewable energy includes solar, turbines powered by water and air as well as bioenergy which "... is produced from a variety of organic materials, called biomass, such as wood, charcoal, dung and other manures for heat and power production..." (UN). Non renewable energy comes from energy plants run on fossil fuels like gas, coal and oil. If the electricity comes from these non renewable power plants, the environmental benefit of electric vehicles is non-existent if not worse. "In 2022, renewable energy sources accounted for about 13.1% of total U.S. primary energy consumption." (EIA) This leaves the rest being produced by non-renewable factors. The transition towards more renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro power can significantly improve the environmental advantages of electric vehicles; however, America's current infrastructure is not built for that.
By considering these energy production statistics, we now have a more comprehensive understanding of the environmental impact of gas-powered and electric vehicles. It is clear that both vehicle types have their own environmental ups and downs, however there is still a lot of improvement that is necessary for any future success in truly environmentally friendly electric vehicles.
With this information, we will now explore the potential for future fuel sources, and improvements to the EV industry. We will examine plausible sustainability in the automotive industry as a whole. By diversifying our options for the future, we are less likely to fail in establishing a strong, environmentally friendly and economically viable version of transportation. The main goal of the growing EV infrastructure is to establish roots for a sustainable future in the automotive industry but just because it's the first of its kind doesn't mean it's the right option. We need to consider alternative fuel sources that can potentially supply or replace both gas-powered and electric vehicles. Because electric vehicles have significant traction in their sector, it would benefit to branch out and explore other options that can offer better economic viability, environmental benefits, and long-term sustainability.
The first alternative fuel source we will be looking at is hydrogen fuel cells. They are recently new and have a promising future if further developed. Unlike gas burning combustion engines, or electricity using batteries we see in cars on the road today, hydrogen fuel cells produce their own electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen. This results in the emission of only water vapor meaning it is a zero-emission power source. Automotive manufactures like Hyundai are taking the lead in advancements in automotive hydrogen fuel cell technology leading to an improved manufacturing processes and reduced costs.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the cost of manufacturing hydrogen fuel cells has dropped by nearly 80% over the past decade and is predicted to drop another 70% by the year 2030, making them economically viable for adoption in the automotive industry. As a result, major automotive companies are investing in research and development to better the performance and efficiency of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Even with zero emissions and future reduced costs on its side, hydrogen fuel cells offer better range and quick refueling time. Unlike electric vehicles that require upwards of hours to recharge, hydrogen vehicles can be refueled in a matter of minutes, similar to gasoline-powered cars. "...quick refueling capability, combined with an extended driving range, addresses the issue of "range anxiety" often associated with electric vehicles." (Reuters) Considering all these factors, hydrogen fuel cells prove to have the potential to revolutionize future transportation. As hydrogen technology continues to advance and the infrastructure for hydrogen production and distribution expands, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles could play a significant role in truly achieving a sustainable and environmentally friendly form of automotive transportation.
Biofuels and synthetic fuels offer another viable option for the future. Biofuel consists of organic materials such as crops, algae, or waste biomass. According to Energy.gov, biofuels offer the potential for reduced carbon emissions and decreased dependence on fossil fuels. They can be used as a direct replacement for gasoline. Synthetic fuels are in the same boat as they too can be used in a combustion engine. According to Repsol Global, "...electricity from renewable sources is used, which separates the oxygen and hydrogen particles of water by means of electrolysis, giving rise to renewable hydrogen. Meanwhile, CO₂ is captured from the air or from an industrial facility. Lastly, at the synthetic fuel production plant, the renewable hydrogen and the CO₂ are used to produce net zero emissions synthetic fuels." (Repsol)
As we consider these alternative fuel sources, it is necessary to understand what they hold for the future with economic viability, scalability, and environmental impact in mind. It can be seen with the many years of research, production and acceptance of electric vehicles that the transition to a new fuel source requires a global understanding of its future infrastructure, production, and distribution.
In conclusion, this research essay has examined the ongoing debate surrounding the advantages and disadvantages of gas-powered vehicles and electric vehicles. It aimed to provide readers with a logical and unbiased perspective on the topic by including academic research papers, online articles from reputable institutions, industry reports, and expert opinions from the automotive industry.
We began by analyzing the pros and cons of gas-powered and electric vehicles, highlighting the convenience and established infrastructure of gas, as well as the reduced emissions of electric vehicles. We then dove deeper into the disadvantages of both, including environmental concerns surrounding fossil fuels and the detrimental aspects of EV's, such as limited charging infrastructure, ethical concerns in the mining of rare-earth metals and not well known environmentally unfriendly aspects. We also addressed the media's bias towards electric vehicles, understanding it often promotes electric vehicles as the solution to environmental problems in transportation without fully considering the manufacturing and battery production processes with some exceptions. Furthermore, we uncovered the hidden aspects and environmental impacts of the automotive industry including the environmental consequences of both, highlighting the need for further improvement and sustainability.
Lastly, we researched potential future fuel sources, such as hydrogen fuel cells, biofuels, and synthetic fuels and discussed the benefits of each. Presented by the facts, I consider hydrogen fuel cells to be the most promising as they are zero emission, have a constantly improving manufacturing process, and quick refueling times. However, in the meantime, biofuels and synthetic fuels can be used as alternatives to gasoline in our current infrastructure of combustion engines with benefits including reduced carbon emissions and a decrease in the dependence on fossil fuels.
Overall, there is no one answer as both options cater to specific consumer needs. This research essay encourages readers to consider the complexity of the gas vs. electric car debate, and make informed decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of the industry, its environmental implications, and advancements in the time ahead. By doing so, we can work together towards a sustainable and environmentally friendly future of transportation for the World.