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.