Comment & Debate
An electric car is a type of alternative fuel car that utilizes electric motors and motor controllers instead of an internal combustion engine (ICE). The electric power is usually derived from battery packs in the vehicle. In general terms an electric car is a rechargeable battery electric vehicle. Vehicles using both electric motors and other types of engine are known as hybrid electric vehicles and are not considered pure electric vehicles (EVs) because they operate in a charge-sustaining mode. The debate surrounding electric vehicles relates to the general advantages and disadvantages of electric vehicles as compared to other types of vehicles, particularly gasoline-powered vehicles. It also surrounds whether electric cars are a viable component of the solution to the global warming crisis. The debate includes many questions: Are electrical cars clean, 0-emission vehicles? Are electrical vehicles cleaner than gasoline vehicles? How much would they rely on coal-generated electricity? Will cleaner, renewable sources of electricity come on line to supply power to electric cars? Should such cleaner sources of electricity include nuclear and “clean coal”. Are electric cars economically viable? If not, should they be subsidized by governments? Can the electricity grid handle an increase in demand for electricity from electric cars? Are electric cars practical in terms of recharging them, performance, and reliability?
A July 2007 study by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) concludes that, by 2050, broad acceptance of PHEVs could cut up to 6.12 billion tons of greenhouse gases each year—approximately 2.5 times the amount currently emitted by power plants. The study concluded that it is possible for 42 percent of the total U.S. auto fleet to be PHEVs by 2030—and nearly doubles that by 2050.[1]
“About half our electricity comes from coal, and that will change, at best, slowly as we move to renewables. But we need to keep in mind that when we’re talking about cars, even coal-generated electricity results in lower greenhouse gas emissions compared with petroleum. The EPRI-NRDC Plug-in Hybrid Study makes clear that under every scenario studied, every region will yield reductions in greenhouse gases as we increase the number of plug-in cars. That includes the worst, most coal dependent areas.”
Because coal is the predominant electricity source, it is foreseeable that it will remain a supplier of electricity to electric cars for some time. But, as “clean coal” becomes the norm among the remaining coal plants around the world, coal-generated electricity will be significantly cleaner, and so its use in electric cars will be cleaner as well.
“as our efforts to green the grid take effect, and that’s happening already, plug-in cars yield even greater reductions in GHGs. And ultimately, you can get no cleaner car than an electric car using wind or solar generated electricity.”
Regenerative braking systems generate and store electricity from the action of braking a car. Instead of break pads slowing a vehicle and converting the lost energy into kinetic heat energy, regenerative braking systems slow the car via a generator that converts momentum into electricity. This electricity can help re-charge the battery of an electric vehicle. These systems increase the energy efficiency of electric cars, which is very important to lowering emissions and fighting global warming.
“The electric car is no solution to smog in California’s cities, according to a new report published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology. The study by Carnegie-Mellon University economist Lester Lave and three engineers attempted to assess the probable impact of 500,000 electric cars on the air quality of Los Angeles and New York City.
In Los Angeles, peak levels of ozone are reduced from 200 to 199 part per billion.
In New York City, the effect would be virtually undetectable — leaving peak projected ozone levels at 190 parts per billion.
The current safe level is estimated to be 120 parts per billion.
An all-electric car fleet would lower peak ozone in Los Angeles by just 10 percent from what it would be given the types of clean gasoline-powered cars of 2010.”
Coal is the primary source of electricity globally. In the United States, it accounts for 50% of all electricity production. This means that electric cars will rely mainly on coal as their source of electricity. Because coal is the worst emitter of greenhouse gases, electric cars will actually add to the global warming crisis.
As a result of using using electric cars powered by coal-electricity, “in regions with heavy vehicle use, ozone levels and particulate matter could actually increase in areas near power plants.”
Vinod Khosla, a well-known venture capitalist and one of the most prolific investors in green technologies, said in 2007, “Are electric cars going to make a difference any time soon? No. Are they going to be material? No. If something costs $2,000 more, nobody buys it. It’s not going to be reach the average person in Mississippi. That’s what I call my Mississippi test.”[2]
Public transportation helps reduce energy consumption in general. Electric cars simply transform energy consumption from one form to another.
Electricity is a form of energy that remains within the continent in which it is produced. It is subsequently unaffected by international price fluctuations. This compares favorably against oil, which is entirely subject to international petroleum markets and the whims of OPEC.
This level of efficiency can be achieved over the full range of speeds and power outputs. This is very favorable, saving energy and money.
Because electric vehicles are lighter, they require less energy to travel the same distance, which means they save energy and money.
“the good news is that over the years the repair costs have significantly come down due to manufacturers better understanding the technology, and have become much more adept to building reliable parts.”
Vinod Khosla, a well-known venture capitalist and one of the most prolific investors in green technologies, said in 2007, “Are electric cars going to make a difference any time soon? No. Are they going to be material? No. If something costs $2,000 more, nobody buys it. It’s not going to be reach the average person in Mississippi. That’s what I call my Mississippi test.”[3]
Electric car batteries are usually the most expensive component. More recent battery technologies have come particularly expensive. Even older lead-acid batteries have become more expensive due to increases in the material costs of lead.
“Among the most promising [electric car batteries] are new-generation lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries that could offer vehicle ranges of 300 miles or more.”
In 2007, Altairnano’s NanoSafe batteries are rechargeable in several minutes. A NanoSafe cell can be charged to around 95% charge capacity in approximately 10 minutes. This has significant implications for the construction of recharging stations (like refueling stations for gasoline cars); people can drive their cars in and out in a reasonable 10 minutes.
Most people do not usually require fast-recharging because they have enough time at night to plug their car in and re-charge. Fast-recharging, therefore, is not a major constraint on the use of the electric car.
Electric vehicles can be plugged in at home, in parking garages, at power stations, and essentially anywhere else the power-grid exists. This compares favorably to gasoline, hydrogen, biofuel, and natural gas cars, which can only be recharged at fueling stations.
It can take many hours to recharge an electric vehicle. This is much less convenient than the quick refills that characterize gasoline, biofuel, natural gas, and hydrogen vehicles.
“Few utilities can support widespread quick-charging on top of other power requirements during peak demand…refueling an electric vehicle in the same time as a conventional one would require 600 kilowatts, more than 10 times the power at an average house.”
“Quick-charging of electric vehicles also requires current and voltage levels far beyond what the motoring public can safely handle.”
“Electric cars can utilize the existing electric grid rather than require the development of a new, expensive energy infrastructure (as would be the case with hydrogen).”
Electricity demand is lowest at night time. This is a great time, therefore, for electric cars to charge-up. Electric cars would, therefore, add electricity demand when the grid is capable of supplying it. For this reasons, electric cars will not strain the electric grid and may not force large grid upgrades.
Electric cars consume a significant amount of electricity. A major expansion of electric cars would massively increase the amount of electricity demand. This would place great strains on existing electricity grids. Major, costly expansions of the electricity grid would be necessary.
There have been electricity shortages in many regions of the world, including the United States. Some of these shortages have resulted in electrical blackouts, such as the 2003 blackout in the northeastern United States. This makes it unadvisable to add such a massive electrical strain to the grid.
This is partly due to the fact that electric motors are simpler than gasoline engines. Electric cars, for instance, do not require multiple gears to match power curves. This removes the need for gearboxes and torque converters. This, and the fact that electric cars do not have complicated piston-engines, removes even the need for oil changes.
Instead of braking, it is possible, in electric cars, to engage a generator to slow a car. This reduces wear and tear on break pads, reducing the number of times that brake pads must be replaced.
All batteries die at some point and must be replaced. This can be costly and can entail environmental risks.
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