The Rise of Electric Vehicles

Name: Manpreet Singh
Student ID: 0164720
Due date: 22 June 2024
Instructor: Megan Bradshaw
Course: ENG 103
The Rise of Electric Vehicles: Environmental and Economic Impacts

The growing popularity of electric cars (EVs) is causing a major upheaval in the
automotive sector. These cars are hailed for their ability to lessen reliance on fossil fuels and
greenhouse gas emissions. The switch to electric vehicles does, however, come with drawbacks,
such as the requirement for a vast infrastructure for charging as well as the environmental effects
of battery production and disposal. To assess the long-term viability of electric vehicles, this
article will examine the effects that these vehicles have on the environment and the economy,
weighing the advantages against the drawbacks. Electric vehicles offer significant benefits, such
as reducing pollution and lowering fuel costs, but they also present challenges, including the
need for extensive charging infrastructure and addressing the environmental concerns associated
with battery production and disposal, making the transition to electric vehicles a crucial step
toward a cleaner and more sustainable future dependent on how well these benefits and
challenges are managed.
Supporting Arguments:
1. Advantages of Electric Vehicles for the Environment:
The absence of tailpipe emissions from electric vehicles considerably lowers air pollution
in cities. An extensive switch to electric vehicles (EVs) can result in a significant reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions, supporting international efforts to tackle climate change, according to
2010 Pollution Probe research. EVs can also run on renewable energy, which increases their
environmental advantages even more. EVs lessen our need on non-renewable energy by
switching from fossil fuels to electricity, which can be produced from a variety of renewable
sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. This shift helps promote energy security and
sustainability and lowers emissions.

Additionally, because EVs generate less noise than conventional combustion engines,
they enhance the quality of life in densely crowded regions and help create quieter urban
environments. He et al. (2019) point out that EVs are essential in lowering carbon emissions and
halting climate change in nations like Germany, the United States, and China. By reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, EVs also provide significant health and
environmental advantages.
2. Economic Advantages:
Not to be overlooked are the electric vehicles' financial advantages. Because they require
less fuel and maintenance than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, electric
vehicles (EVs) have lower operating costs. For example, the cost of fuel for electric vehicle (EV)
owners is reduced because electricity is typically less expensive than gasoline or diesel.
Furthermore, EVs have fewer moving parts than traditional cars, which reduces wear and tear
and maintenance costs throughout the course of ownership.
Furthermore, it is anticipated that the cost of EVs will drop as production increases and
technology develops, making them more affordable for a larger range of people. To further
increase the economic appeal of EVs, governments all over the world are offering a range of
incentives, including tax credits and rebates, to promote the adoption of these vehicles.
Additionally, the expansion of the EV industry fosters innovation and economic growth by
generating jobs in hitherto untapped industries including battery production, the generation of
renewable energy, and the growth of charging infrastructure. The integration of vehicle-to-grid
(V2G) technology, which enables EVs to feed energy back into the grid, further reducing energy
prices and improving grid stability, has been shown to have both economic and societal benefits
(Noel et al., 2018).

3. Adoption Obstacles for Electric Vehicles:
Even with the benefits, adopting electric vehicles is fraught with difficulties. One major
issue is the requirement for a substantial infrastructure for charging. In order to accommodate the
increasing number of EVs on the road, Kumar et al. (2021) emphasize the significance of
building a strong network of charging stations. For electric vehicles (EVs) to become widely
accepted, charging stations must be easily accessible. This is because prospective purchasers
may be put off by the thought of running out of power while travelling.
Furthermore, it is impossible to ignore how battery production and disposal affect the
environment. The difficulties associated with the lifecycle of EV batteries are covered by
Anosike et al. (2023). These difficulties include the extraction of raw materials and the disposal
of spent batteries, both of which can hurt the environment. Lithium, cobalt, and other vital
materials are mined to produce batteries, which frequently entails unethical labour and harms the
environment.
To reduce environmental harm, effective and sustainable techniques are also needed for
the recycling and disposal of EV batteries. To make sure that the advantages of EVs are not
outweighed by their environmental impact, these issues must be resolved. According to Noel et
al. (2018), technology developments like V2G integration and legislative changes may be able to
lessen some of these issues and foster the development of an EV ecosystem that is more
sustainable.
In conclusion, even though there are obvious financial and environmental advantages to
electric vehicles, overcoming adoption barriers is essential to their long-term viability. Although
switching to electric cars is a big step in the right direction toward a cleaner and more sustainable
future, it also calls for a thorough strategy that takes into account sustainable battery
management techniques and the construction of charging infrastructure. The success of the
switch to electric vehicles will depend on how well the benefits are balanced with the
requirements for construction of infrastructure and environmental concerns.
The automobile sector has the potential to lead the way towards a more eco-friendly and
productive future through its emphasis on sustainable practices and inventive solutions. The
effective adoption of electric vehicles in the general transportation fleet will not only contribute
to slowing down global warming but also boost economic expansion and improve living
standards for coming generations. Strategic planning and policy assistance may optimize the
synergistic benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) by protecting the environment and promoting
economic growth, as highlighted by He et al. (2019) and Noel et al. (2018). This will ensure a
sustainable and prosperous future for all.

References
He, X., et al. “Economic and Climate Benefits of Electric Vehicles in China, the United States,
and Germany.” Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 53, no. 18, 2019, pp. 11013-
11022. American Chemical Society, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b01461.
Kumar, Rupesh, et al. “Addressing the Challenges to Electric Vehicle Adoption via Sharing
Economy: An Indian Perspective.” Management of Environmental Quality: An
International Journal, vol. 32, no. 1, 2021, pp. 82-99. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-03-
2020-0058.
Noel, Lance, et al. “Beyond Emissions and Economics: Rethinking the Co-Benefits of Electric
Vehicles (EVs) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G).” Transport Policy, vol. 71, 2018, pp. 130-137.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2018.06.009.
Pollution Probe. Driving Electric: Understanding Electric Vehicle Technology Environmental
Benefits. Pollution Probe, 2010. https://canadacommons.ca/kbart/articles/driving-
electric-understanding-electric-vehicle-technology-environmental-benefits/2645371/.
Anosike, Anthony, et al. “Exploring the Challenges of Electric Vehicle Adoption in Final Mile
Parcel Delivery.” International Journal of Logistics: Research & Applications, vol. 26, no.
6, 2023, pp. 683-707. https://doi.org/10.1080/13675567.2021.1978409.

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Name: Manpreet Singh

Student ID: 0164720

Due date: 22 June 2024

Instructor: Megan Bradshaw

Course: ENG 103

The Rise of Electric Vehicles: Environmental and Economic Impacts

challenges are managed.

1. Advantages of Electric Vehicles for the Environment:

sustainability and lowers emissions.

and maintenance costs throughout the course of ownership.

(Noel et al., 2018).

requirements for construction of infrastructure and environmental concerns.

sustainable and prosperous future for all.

11022. American Chemical Society, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b01461.

Economy: An Indian Perspective.” Management of Environmental Quality: An

International Journal, vol. 32, no. 1, 2021, pp. 82-99. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-03-

Pollution Probe. Driving Electric: Understanding Electric Vehicle Technology Environmental

Benefits. Pollution Probe, 2010. https://canadacommons.ca/kbart/articles/driving-

6, 2023, pp. 683-707. https://doi.org/10.1080/13675567.2021.1978409.

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