Electric Cars: The Sustainable Method of Transportation

Vinay Rohra
ENGR110-A03
Instructor:-Monika Rydygier Smith
Institute:- University of Victoria
Dec 2,2017
Electric cars: The sustainable method of transportation
Transportation has been a significant part of our lives which allows us to commute from
place to place. For a long period of time we have been using cars that run on fossil fuels, but with
growing concern for our environment, we have developed electric vehicle technologies. Over the
past few years, we have seen a rapid increase in the sales of electric cars. Electric vehicles have
the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their gasoline counterparts [3]. This topic
is of concern as there are multiple factors such as the electrical components used in the cars to
decide whether or not electric vehicles are environmentally friendly. What’s significant about
this is that this industry is growing rapidly so we need to take careful steps to make EV’s
sustainable for the future. Ultimately, what is at stake here is a viable solution which has the
potential to reduce global warming and we need to evaluate the environmental, economic and the
social impact of EV’s.
Figure1[3]
A car produces greenhouse gas emissions throughout its life cycle, in other words from
its manufacturing phase to its operational phase. The emissions from the manufacturing stage
must be taken into account as significant amount of resources are used to manufacture a car. In
his article, Nealer[3] claims that electric cars are more sustainable than their gasoline
counterparts in terms of lifetime global warming emissions. This is clear from Figure 1[3].
According to the graph, it seems that the production of a full sized 265-mile range electric
battery in electric cars adds about 6 tons of additional emissions in comparison to the production
of a full-sized gasoline vehicle [3]. But this leads to a 53% decrease in overall emissions when
compared to a gasoline car [3]. With developing technologies, the emissions from the battery
manufacturing stage can be reduced thereby leading to a further decrease in lifecycle emissions
of an electric car. A reduction in overall lifecycle emissions shows that electric cars are more
sustainable. Helmer [1] argues that electric cars achieve higher efficiency in traffic conditions
due to low speeds and frequent stopping. In traffic conditions, a gasoline car keeps burning fuel
even if it is stationary, while an electric car drains battery only when is it required [1]. Wastage
of fuel is a major reason why there is a vast difference between their carbon-dioxide emissions.
This scenario allows us to conclude that electric cars are more efficient than fuel powered
vehicles.
The technology and efficiency of electric cars can have positive impacts on the
environment, but it is the society that needs to adopt this technology and put it to good use. The
society as a whole has different perceptions about this technology. For example: Egbue[5] argues
in his article that the perception of saving the environment plays a stronger role in buying electric
cars rather than the need for new technologies. From the results of their surveys logistic
regression model, this is well supported[5]. In this scenario, this model helps to predict whether a
person will buy an electric car based on a particular factor such as environmental concern. This
is interesting as people are willing to buy electric cars based on supporting the environment
rather than the technological appeal of electric cars. But Barkenbus[4] in his report points out
that electric cars ownership only account for 0.1% of the global car inventory which is relatively
low when compared to gasoline vehicles. Further, this points out various reasons about the
adoption of this technology which could be both economic and environmental.
As every technology has its pros and cons similarly EV’s can cause a negative impact on
the environment. This is evident from all the sources referred above[1] [3] [4] [5] . The main
concern of the society are the emissions caused by the power generated to recharge the batteries
of electric cars. If the electric vehicles are recharged using electricity generated from polluting
sources such as coal, then this could seriously damage our environment. The reason for not
buying electric cars because of environmental damage is also correct as a similar result is
obtained in the research of Egube[5]. In his survey, Egube[5] found that one of the major reasons
people will not buy electric cars is that it can cause negative climate change which is completely
opposite of the “zero emission” motto of the electric car[4]. So, this raises another point that we
need to have certain threshold limits on the emissions of the power generated so that the
technology of electric cars is sustainable and does not cause damage to the environment.
Barkbenus[4] states that electric cars receiving electricity with emission levels exceeding 559
gC02/kWh makes the cars net contributors to climate change. Therefore, this threshold also gives
us a quantifiable aim that we need to achieve so that we can reduce global warming. According
to Barkbenus[4] electric car ownership is mainly distributed between United States, China,
Japan, Norway, and Netherlands. When we look at these countries, especially the United States
is reducing the portion of its energy generated from coal and is switching to alternative sources
of energy to generate electricity[4]. Similarly, Norway's emissions per kWh are very close to
zero which kind of helps to complete the “zero emission” motto of the electric car[4]. This is
because that a major part of Norway's electricity comes from hydropower thereby making
electric cars sustainable in Norway[4].
Sustainable technology is beneficial to the environment, but it must be affordable to the

consumer which is partly the reason why still the global car inventory is 0.1%[5]. The economics
of electric cars is a bit difficult to understand as it’s a new technology that’s battling the well-
developed fossil fuel cars which have been dominating the transportation market since over a
century[5]. The main reason behind so low inventory numbers is the lack of infrastructure such
as charging stations to charge the cars, service centres to maintain the electric vehicles, etc[4].
Another reason behind this is the high initial costs of buying an electric car[5]. The high initial
cost is due to the battery therefore, a comprehensive development of infrastructure, incentives to
promote electric car ownership and the reduction in costs of making electric cars will make
electric cars more affordable and thereby increasing electric car ownership.
While buying a car people also consider annual fuel costs as its one of the major
contributors to the lifecycle costs of a car. BC hydro[2] compares the fuel costs of an electric car
with a gasoline car. For example, the fuel cost of a Tesla Model S is 532$ against 2,076$ of a
similar gas-powered car [2]. So what can be inferred from this is that the fuel cost of an electric
car is 75% cheaper than a gas powered car[2]. In other words, the high initial cost of buying an
electric car is compensated by savings from fuel in the long run, making electric cars cheaper.
Another point mentioned by BC hydro [2]. is that over an eight-year period the maintenance cost
of an electric car accounts for a third of the maintenance cost of a gas-powered car. Therefore,
this can be concluded that electric cars are cheaper in terms of lifecycle costs when compared to
a gas-powered car.
Electric cars have the potential to help us reduce global warming and other climate
related issues. Further, we need to take care that the power generated to charge electric cars
comes from sustainable resources such as wind, solar etc so that they do not cause negative
climate change. We also need to promote electric car ownership through incentives to electric car
owners, development of infrastructure such as charging stations etc. Another thing that needs to
be taken care of is that people need to be made aware about the benefits of electric cars and its
lifecycle costs to increase the number of people buying electric cars. In conclusion, we can say
that electric cars will become a mass consumer car in the future if careful steps are taken to
ensure that this technology remains sustainable.
References
[1] E. Helmers, J. Dietz and S. Hartard, "Electric car life cycle assessment based on real-world
mileage and the electric conversion scenario," The International Journal of Life Cycle
Assessment, vol. 22, (1), pp. 15-30, 2017
[2] Bchydro.com. (2017). Costs of electric vehicles. [online] Available at:
https://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/electric-vehicles/owning-an-electric-vehicle/costs.html?
fixZoomMobile=true [Accessed 17 Oct. 2017].
[3] Nealer etal, “How Electric Cars Beat Gasoline Cars on Lifetime Global Warming
Emissions", UCUSA 2017 [online]. Available:-
http://www.UCUSA.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/11/Cleaner-Cars-From-Cradle-to-Grave-
full-report.pdf.
[4] Barkenbus, Jack. "Electric Vehicles: Climate Saviors, Or Not?(ENERGY TRANSITIONS)."
Issues in Science and Technology, vol. 33, no. 2, 2017, pp. 55
[5] Egbue, Ona, Suzanna Long, and V. A. Samaranayake. "Mass Deployment of Sustainable
Transportation: Evaluation of Factors that Influence Electric Vehicle Adoption." Clean
Technologies and Environmental Policy, vol. 19, no. 7, 2017, pp. 1927-1939.

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Sustainable technology is beneficial to the environment, but it must be affordable to the

Emissions", UCUSA 2017 [online]. Available:-

[4] Barkenbus, Jack. "Electric Vehicles: Climate Saviors, Or Not?(ENERGY TRANSITIONS)."

Issues in Science and Technology, vol. 33, no. 2, 2017, pp. 55

Transportation: Evaluation of Factors that Influence Electric Vehicle Adoption." Clean

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