writing homework
Bajunaid 1
Mohammed Bajunaid
Tamara Frtzchle
English 1A
6 February 2022
Review of Expert Opinions Regarding Hybrid vs. Electric Cars
Although the majority of motorists across the world still use the conventional internal
combustion engines, electric and hybrid cars are fast gaining popularity. These vehicles are
constantly being developed as a means of creating more environmentally-friendly vehicles. The
dropping costs of these vehicles coupled with an increase in their reliability and driving range is
making them attractive to motorists. However, debates still remain as to which of the two types
of vehicles (electric and hybrid) are better than the other. Electric cars draw power from electric
motors to propel the vehicles while hybrid cars draw power from both electric motors and
internal combustion engines to propel the vehicles. This paper compares two articles that discuss
this topic to get an insight into the authors' perceptions of electric and hybrid vehicles, in
addition to enabling the reader to deduce the better vehicle between the two.
In this article, Graham-Rowe review the perceptions of mainstream consumers toward
hybrid and electric vehicles. Based on a qualitative study, the article compares the two types of
cars based on six categories: vehicle confidence, cost minimization, environmental beliefs,
vehicle adaptation demands, impression management, and the general development of the
vehicles. The authors are well-known and trustworthy. They have impressive academic
credentials and work for the Transport Research laboratory in the UK.
In this article, Weiss, Zerfass, and Helmers present the cost-benefit analyses and
experience curves for hybrid and electric cars sold in Germany. They investigate the user costs of
Bajunaid 2
Mohammed Bajunaid
Tamara Frtzchle
English 1A
6 February 2022
both cars in terms of maintenance and the costs for mitigating air pollutant emissions. They also
discuss the relevant recharging infrastructure associated with both vehicles. The authors are well-
known and trustworthy. They have good academic credentials, vast experience in transport
issues, and work for the Joint Research Center, Institute of Energy, Transport, and Climate.
The intended audience for both articles is comprised of the stakeholders of the car
industry. This includes the car manufacturers, the car buyers, and the relevant policymaking
bodies in transportation. By comparing electric and hybrid vehicles using various attributes, the
audience can make crucial deductions aimed at informing the future development of both types
of cars. Regarding the purpose of writing the articles, Graham-Rowe aimed to compare hybrid
and electric vehicles based on six categories. Their findings are meant to give the reader an
insight into the pros and cons of each vehicle and the type of car that will offer better value for
money based on the current developments. Weiss, Zerfass, and Helmers aimed to investigate the
user costs of both cars. Their findings are meant to reveal the level at which each car saves on
costs based on maintenance and environmental pollution.
The stance by Graham-Rowe is that based on the vehicles that are currently available,
hybrid cars present a better value for consumers' money compared to electric ones. Graham-
Rowe assert that “the prioritization of personal mobility needs over environmental benefits,
concerns over the social desirability of electric vehicle use, and the expectation that rapid
technological and infrastructural developments will make current models obsolete” (p. 140). The
Bajunaid 3
Mohammed Bajunaid
Tamara Frtzchle
English 1A
6 February 2022
implication is that hybrid vehicles outperform electric vehicles based on the research they
conducted on mainstream consumers. Hence, they conclude that there is a need for electric
vehicles to be significantly improved if their popularity among the mainstream consumers is to
increase.
The stance by Weiss, Zerfass, and Helmers is that the current infrastructure supports the
use of hybrid vehicles to a greater extent than electric vehicles. Weiss, Zerfass, and Helmers
argue that “the observation of robust technological learning suggests policymakers should focus
their support on non-cost market barriers for the electrification of road transport, addressing
specifically the availability of recharging infrastructure” (p. 1478). Hence, they conclude that
hybrid vehicles are better than electric vehicles since their maintenance and performance are
more client-friendly and supported by current infrastructure.
The genre used by both Graham-Rowe and Weiss, Zerfass, and Helmers is a report whose
findings are supported by a primary study. Both sets of authors bring reliable information to the
context of their articles. Their articles are grounded on primary studies. Also, the findings they
get are supported by scholarly secondary literature. The media used by both sets of authors is a
professional journal. Both journals used are scholarly and peer-reviewed, which enhances their
validity, reliability, and credibility. In conclusion, this paper has compared two articles to get an
insight into the authors' perceptions of electric and hybrid vehicles, in addition to enabling the
Bajunaid 4
Mohammed Bajunaid
Tamara Frtzchle
English 1A
6 February 2022
reader to deduce the better vehicle between the two. Both authors assert that hybrid vehicles are
better than electric cars.
Bajunaid 5
Mohammed Bajunaid
Tamara Frtzchle
English 1A
6 February 2022
References
Graham-Rowe, E., Gardner, B., Abraham, C., Skippon, S., Dittmar, H., Hutchins, R., &
Stannard, J. (2017). Mainstream consumers driving plug-in battery-electric and plug-in
hybrid electric cars: A qualitative analysis of responses and evaluations. Transportation
Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 46(1), 140-153.
Weiss, M., Zerfass, A., & Helmers, E. (2019). Fully electric and plug-in hybrid cars-An analysis
of learning rates, user costs, and costs for mitigating CO2 and air pollutant emissions.
Journal of Cleaner Production, 212, 1478-1489.