Electric Vehicles

All-electric vehicles popularity

“Tesla is revolutionizing the automobile industry” reads the headlines of several American news articles across the web. All-electric vehicles have recently flourished in popularity from being heavily criticized by media outlets to being considered as the future of the industry. Modern-day advancements in battery technology and the reduced impact on the environment from EV’s make them a highly appealing option to consumers. Tesla is now one of the leading manufacturers of electric vehicles, but are they more efficient than gasoline engines and are they the future of vehicles? For instance, the U.

S. Department of Energy states that “Electric motors provide quiet, smooth operation, stronger acceleration, and require less maintenance than internal combustion engines” (U.S. DOE par.1). All-electric and gasoline vehicles are different because of the initial and long-term costs, environmental impact, and efficiency.

Gasoline vehicles may have a lower initial cost for consumers when purchasing a new vehicle, but their all-electric counterparts save money in the long-run while being able to be charged at home.

In February 2019, the MSRP for the 2019 Tesla Model S is $76,000 while a same year Honda Civic is $19,450. This results in a price difference of about $56,550 between the two products which reveals the higher cost of electric vehicles. Tesla owners have the option to purchase a high-powered 240v home wall charger for their cars which can be used indoors as well as outdoors; furthermore, on a full charge, the Model S is rated at 102 miles per gallon electric (MPGe). This is useful as the owner can leave their car charging overnight at their house and the charger will shut off when the vehicle is fully charged.

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On the contrary, consumers will most likely head to a local gas station in order to refuel their petrol powered vehicles. This is an inefficient process, especially in high-traffic areas. Petrol is consumed on the way to refuel while traffic increases the time during which the engine is running, resulting in additional losses. The MPG for the Honda Civic is rated at 32 which is more than three times as less as its competitor. All-electric vehicles have the advantage in fuel costs, but environmental impacts have to be considered as well.

Tesla vehicles and competitors

Tesla vehicles have a lower environmental impact than their gas competitors. All vehicles go through a production phase in a factory where they are designed and constructed. Factories will consume electricity for the manufacturing process which, in the U.S, will have mainly come from fossil fuel such as coal. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that “About 62.7% of the electricity generated was from fossil fuel (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), with 30.1% attributed from coal” (U.S. DHHS par.1). These fuels release high amounts of greenhouse gases when burned while coal also produces a toxic black sludge. Tesla cars such as the Model S are charged via electricity. Owners can reduce their environmental impact by generating power from renewable energy sources such as solar energy for their vehicles. Gas vehicles such as the popular Honda Civic need petrol in order to function. Burning the fuel releases carbon dioxide; in addition, the extraction process for the gas contributes to pollution. When compared to the Honda Civic, Tesla’s Model S has a reduced environmental impact, but it also more efficient in several areas.

Electric vehicles are more efficient than their gasoline counterparts in terms of engine reliability. Electric engines require less periodic maintenance due to fewer moving mechanical parts found in a gas engine. This reduces friction as well as wear and tear which in turn, increases the longevity of the vehicle. The downside is that the price to replace the battery is, on average, $12,000. Tesla has implemented a practice in which only its maintenance centers can efficiently repair their vehicles. The company has not provided any manuals or guides to consumers on repairs nor do they sell original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts to the public. Therefore, individuals are forced to have maintenance from the company’s repair centers. On the contrary, other companies such as Honda sell the materials to their consumers. Individuals have the option of repairing the vehicle themselves, taking it to a third party shop, or having maintenance performed at a local dealer. Gasoline engines suffer from carbon deposits left as a residue from burned gasoline over time. Oil sludges can also form which will result in a reduction of lubrication and, consequently, wear and tear. This affects performance and can strain the engine which results in the consumption of more fuel in order to compensate.

Gas-powered vehicles will still be prevalent in the automobile market due to their reliability and lower cost to consumers. Gasoline stations are highly common in the United States and will continue to possess demand from consumers as they are reliable. However, all-electric vehicles are the future and will be a major competitor to their gasoline counterparts due to their reduced environmental impact, cost savings, and higher engine efficiency. Both, Tesla and Honda are incredible companies who should continue to innovate their products and push for the transition to the “electric vehicle future”.