EV’s— The Way of the Future?
Electric vehicles (EV’s) are the world’s current car obsession. Everyone is out to make the best battery technology, with the longest range and the quickest charge time. Where did the electric car originate, and why is it just becoming popular now?
Electric vehicles were first introduced in the 1800s after the invention of the battery and the electric motor. Innovators around the world experimented with the concept of battery-powered vehicles and succeeded in creating some of the world’s first electric vehicles.
As other types of vehicles slowly became available, such as steam and combustion engines, people realized that they had major downsides to their operation. Electric cars proved to be both useful and simple to use, making them a popular choice in the early 20th century. Until Henry Ford’s Model T was released, electric car technology was looking up. However, after the mass-produced combustion-engine vehicle became available, it soon took the top spot in vehicle tech.
In the 1960s, high oil prices and gas shortages led to another spike in the exploration of electric vehicle technology, though they remained an unpopular choice amongst Americans. The 1990’s garnered more interest because of the environmental impacts of traditional vehicles. It wasn't until the release of the hybrid Toyota Prius in 2000 that the concept of electric vehicles was really taken seriously.
Fast forward to today, where brands like Chevrolet, Nissan, and most notably Tesla Motors, have gotten a huge stake in the overall car industry. People are flocking to buy electric vehicles which can go upwards of 200 miles per charge, and get around 100 MPG, making them a smart environmental decision, as well as a monetary one. Electric vehicle sales have grown 60% in the past year, and will account for 35% of car sales by 2040.
The Future of the Electric Vehicle
So, where is the electric vehicle taking us in the future? If we were to transition to more electric vehicles on the road, we could reduce our dependence on foreign oil by up to 60%, as well as our emissions by up to 20%.
- Battery costs have been cut in half within the past four years.
- Costs of electric cars will soon be comparable to those of gasoline powered vehicles (Figure 1)
- Charging stations are being built across the country, with the help of a $115 million grant from the government.
- EV’s are gaining range and speed credentials very quickly
- Global environmental concerns are making the race for electric cars more intense than ever (Figure 2 & 3)
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| Figure 1: Net cost comparison of different types of vehicles |
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| Figure 2: Lifetime CO2 production comparison of different types of vehicles |
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| Figure 3: Lifetime energy usage comparison of different types of vehicles |
EV Statistics
Production:
- Average Weight: 1575kg + 300kg lithium ion battery
- Average life expectancy: 180,000 miles
- Average MPG = approx. 100
- Battery manufacturing contributes 19% of lifetime energy requirement, as well as 24% of EV emissions
Upkeep:
- Battery to be replaced or partially replaced at least once during vehicle’s lifetime
- Capacity slowly decreases after recharging
- Electricity mix from a mixture of: coal, nuclear, natural gas, hydropower, wind, geothermal, solar and biomass
Shipping:
- Car parts made in Mexico, shipped by diesel fuel truck to US border
- Batteries made in China, shipped by diesel cargo ship
- All parts shipped by rail to Detroit
Recycling:
- Car as a whole is recycled the same way as CV’s, but battery sets them apart
- Disposal of car parts uses 1297.33 MJ of energy and 53.51kg of CO2
- Currently cheaper to use raw materials versus recycling old battery parts
- Battery recycling uses 31 MJ.kg which equates to 13950 MJ of energy and 680.76 kg CO2
Overall lifetime energy requirement: 506,988 MJ
- Use phase accounts for 74% of total energy use over vehicle’s lifetime
Overall lifetime emissions: 31,821kg CO2 Equivalents
- Use phase accounts for 69% of total emissions over vehicle’s lifetime
References:
Environmental Study by UCLA
http://www.environment.ucla.edu/media/files/BatteryElectricVehicleLCA2012-rh-ptd.pdf
The Future of Electric Vehicles is Bright
The History of the Electric Car
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