Biology in Real World Final Draft

Electric Vehicle’s Impact on the Environment

James C. Goggans

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Professor Andrew Walsh

Biology 120

3 January 2021

The Potential Electric Vehicles to reduce environmental pollution

Introduction

Over time, the use of electric vehicles has become increasingly significant, with more people opting to go for electric vehicles over standard vehicles. Researchers have rooted the use of electric vehicles as a potential solution to climate change. However, other researchers argue that these vehicles are not better than the standard ones. The point has hit debates for a long time, but there is no solid argument that the current vehicle grid produces an insignificant amount of carbon emissions. Proponents of the debate argue that combining electric vehicles with low carbon renewable energy will address environmental pollution and eventually address climate change.

An increase in the use of electric vehicles implies an increase in demand for electricity. The high demand can be assuaged by adopting renewable energy systems such as hydropower and wind power. The carbon emissions from renewable energy sources are less compared to the normal combustion of fossil fuels and other pollutants such as nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds (Guerra, 2019). While there is merit to the proposition that electric vehicles reduce pollution, society needs to accept that this relies on the grid the electric vehicles use. Therefore, the environmental protection potential of electric vehicles is directly connected to the source of energy.

Objectives of the Research

Demonstrate how using electric vehicles that source energy from renewable sources can reduce carbon emissions, preventing climate change.

Key Vocabulary

Electric vehicles-vehicles that operate on an electric motor. Renewable energy sources of energy that do not deplete when they are used.

Climate change-a change in climate patterns at regional and global levels.

Pollution-introduction of harmful substances to the environment.

Emissions-discharge of gas.

A local grid-a a power distribution system that has a limited range.

Subsidies-state/public grant offered to industry to keep the prices of goods low.

Tax credits-reduction of tax on goods/services.

Module connection

The project focuses on the advancement of technological (adoption of electric vehicles) and how they impact the environment. By working on the project, I will assess technological impacts and their potential impacts on the environment (positive and negative).

Real-world connection

The project connects to the real world by informing policies and personal decisions. At a personal level, the decision to purchase an electric vehicle or install a renewable energy source will be significantly informed by the understanding of the role of renewable energy and electric vehicles in addressing climate change. At the state and federal levels, understanding the connection between renewable energy use and the electric vehicle will inform policies that will enhance the interconnected use of the two to address climate change issues.

Literature Review

The use of Electric Vehicles in the US

The electrification of the American fleet is one of the keep components of reducing carbon emissions linked to transportation. According to the Institute of Energy Research, Obama's administration aimed at putting at least 1 million electric vehicles on the road (Institute for Energy Research, 2011). The federal government currently gives a tax credit to individuals and companies that purchase a new electric vehicle. Apart from the national subsidy, multiple states offer additional monetary incentives to buyers. The efforts made by federal and state governments seek to promote the sale of electric vehicles and reduce carbon emissions significantly.

The public has embraced electric vehicles, leading to a dramatic increase in their use for the past decade. The dramatic increase applies to the whole world, with researchers attributing the increase to the proliferation options. In the beginning, the choices were few, and as the choices for buyers increased, more people have embraced electric vehicles (Shahan, 2015). Today, different manufacturers, including Ford, BMW, and Tesla, have hit the market significantly. As more brands hit the market, the prices go down, which implies that more people will be part of the journey to reduce environmental pollution.

Generations and Emissions of Electricity

Electric vehicles are not 100%, and of course, they attract positive and negative news. Some critics argued that these vehicles are expensive yet have a limited range. However, the latest options have managed to silence such criticism by offering a wide range at slightly lower prices. As time goes by, the options become cheaper and increase in range Kadav & Asher, 2019). Another concern now is the emissions from electric vehicles. While the vehicles do not emit direct gases, they are powered by electricity stored and from the local grid.

The concern about the local grid has allowed some researchers to conclude that electric vehicles are more harmful than standard engine vehicles. In 2012, a life cycle analysis revealed that electric vehicles' production phase emits more than double the emissions from conventional vehicles (Hawkins et al., 2013). The analysis formed a basis for more controversial arguments, as opposers of the debate had the background to support their assertions. Lomborg argues that electric vehicles emit 6 ounces of carbon dioxide lower compared to conventional vehicles per mile (Nelson, 2013). Research conducted by the National Resource Defense Council estimated that the emissions from electric vehicles are thrice less than what Lomborg believed. While Lomborgs' revelation may not be 1005 true, it points out the need to acknowledge the emissions from power plants while accounting for the environmental impact of using electric vehicles.

The link between electric vehicles and the potential of electric vehicles to reduce climate change

The potential of an electric vehicle to prevent environmental pollution and reduce climate change is directly linked to the source of energy. It is not possible for the conventional vehicle, including a hybrid car that is 100mpg efficient, to run off renewable energy. These vehicles must burn gasoline and emit carbon dioxide. However, this is not the case for electric vehicles because a vehicle operating on the wind, hydropower, or solar, records emissions that are close to insignificant. The insignificance of these emissions illustrates the importance of coupling electric vehicles with the right energy source.

Today, several sources of low-carbon energy can charge electric vehicles and minimize carbon emissions significantly. These energy sources have positive characteristics, meaning that it is possible to address climate change by adopting these sources simultaneously with the adoption of electric vehicles. In California, there is a significant residential installation of photovoltaics, and more people plan to install the system in the future. The imagination of a future characterized by enough renewable energy sources should motivate more people to install renewable sources of energy and adopt electric vehicles.

Relationship between Modern Grid and Renewable energy

Renewable energy and electric vehicles have a mutually beneficial connection. However, this connection is limited by the misalignment between the demand and supply of electric vehicles with most renewable energy sources. Most people who use electric vehicles use them during the day, meaning they will have to charge at night after coming back from work. Sources such as photovoltaic panels produce energy only during the day and maybe ineffective for charging electric cars at night. Similarly, wind power fluctuates so much during the night, making it equally unreliable. The demand curve for electricity reflects an increasing demand when occupants are at home and low demand when occupants are at work. This is inversely proportional to the supply of energy that seems to be more powerful during the night.

Findings

The use of electric vehicles has increased, and there is a projection that more people will continue purchasing electric vehicles as prices go down. The government continues to offer subsidies and tax credits. The increase in the number of options has also contributed to the dramatic increase in purchases of electric vehicles since individuals can get a model of their choice that motivates them to buy (Zeng et al., 2019). Since the growth is not exclusive to the USA, it is clear that the whole world is moving towards a cleaner, more efficient transport mode that addresses climate change.

However, based on a literature review, it is clear that the benefits of electric vehicles increase with the increase in the use of renewable sources of energy. The efficiency and potential of an electric vehicle to reduce pollution are tied to a low-carbon grid. If an electric vehicle is powered by a renewable source of energy like wind power, it's potential of addressing climate change increases (Moro & Lonza, 2018). Therefore, assessing the effectiveness of an electric vehicle should not be done as a single entity; instead, it should be based on energy sources.

Electric vehicles are powered by electricity that comes from the local grid, and this implies that during the production phase, the vehicles emit harmful gases to the environment. However, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the production phase is significantly lower than what engine combustion vehicles emit (Faizal et al., 2019). Society praises the adoption of electric vehicles in the journey towards addressing climate change. The exact social needs to acknowledge that power plants emit gases when they pump energy to these vehicles. The emissions during the production phase are significant and should be accounted for while analyzing the overall potential of electric vehicles to mitigate climate change.

Renewable sources of energy may limit the effectiveness of electric vehicles because the majority of the sources cannot power vehicles during night hours, the time when occupants are back from work and need to charge the vehicles (Galiveeti et al., 2018). Most renew3able energy sources are less powerful at night, making them unreliable and therefore a significant hindrance to the potential of electric vehicles.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Several factors influence the environmental impacts of electric vehicles in relation to the environment and climate change. These factors, including the energy sources and social costs, have disparities in their impacts between electric vehicles and internal engine combustion vehicles. However, an outstanding factor is the source of energy; as the use of renewable energy increases, the potential of electric vehicles to reduce pollution increases. This means that electric vehicles on their own may not be effective in reducing pollution unless a renewable source of energy powers it. The use of renewable energy is significant during an electric vehicle's production and operating phases.

The first recommendation is the installation of renewable sources of energy to increase the ability of electric vehicles to reduce harmful emissions to insignificant rates. Installation of these sources starts with awareness and access to information about the importance of renewable energy sources in relation to the environment. While many people may wish to have a pollution-free environment, they cannot make sound decisions without accessing the correct information.

Another opportunity to promote the effective use of electric vehicles is the implementation of subsidy-related policies affecting electric vehicles. For example, the government could offer subsidies and tax credits that use renewable energy sources. This will automatically challenge buyers to go for renewable energy sources. The policies should also be renewed after every five years because the trends change. Updating policies will ensure that electric vehicles are aligned to the need to address environmental pollution and climate change.

The unreliability of renewable energy sources needs to be reviewed, and better options should be offered so that electric car owners can charge their vehicles during night hours when they are at home. Energy sources such as solar panels should be designed so that the PV cells can absorb energy from the sun during the day and store that energy until nighttime so that they can charge the vehicles.

References

Guerra, E. (2019). Electric vehicles, air pollution, and the motorcycle city: A stated preference survey of consumers’ willingness to adopt electric motorcycles in Solo, Indonesia. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 68, 52-64.