Newspaper Response

Last week I read an article in the local paper that described some benefits to driving electric cars. It cited the reduced carbon emissions and the lower cost of operation. The article, however, received some negative comments, and so the author asked a few people to respond with their thought, me being one of those people (I had not met him, but I had a connection through one of my teachers).

         In addition to adding my own comment on the article, I wrote a letter to the editor that I think presents some more key points on the issue. Here is a copy of my letter (which was published in the Princeton Packet on March 2nd!):

         The benefits of driving an electric car go far beyond the most obvious. We have heard that electric cars are emissions free, less expensive to fuel, and come with impressive acceleration and handling. These are all legitimate arguments, but the implications of not relying on oil are hidden in this oversimplification. Furthermore, other arguments regarding pollution have clear and convincing evidence that support the electrification of the automotive industry. The benefits of electric cars simply outweigh those of their standard alternatives in a multitude of ways.

         The reliance that Americans have on foreign oil is staggering. We represent 2% of the world’s population yet consume 25% of the world’s oil. Another way to look at this is that in 2011, we consumed 18 million barrels of oil per day[1], of which up to 70% was imported[2]. Great tolls come with placing so much dependence on other countries to supply us with resources. We spend well over $500 billion on our military each year, which is due in no small part to the protection of oil supply routes that our addiction necessitates. Since 1976, for example, the United States has kept aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf. Their mission has explicitly been to secure oil shipments in that area. Keeping these aircraft carriers patrolling the Gulf has cost $7.3 trillion over the last three decades[3].But we also pay for gas indirectly in other ways, such as tax subsidies to oil companies. With a current national debt over $15 trillion, it is clear that we cannot afford to continue protecting our supply of foreign oil for much longer. As oil is a finite resource, spending will only increase at the rate we are going. Getting more electric cars on the roads would serve to reduce this dependency and it could eventually eliminate our need to spend such enormous sums to receive this oil.

         The idea that driving electric cars simply moves the source of pollution is not true because it is incomplete. Yes, more than half of the electricity produced in the United States comes from either coal or fossil fuels. However, in many places renewable energy sources represent the majority of electricity production (including the states Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, and Rhode Island, in which over 99% of electricity comes from renewable resources)[4] and the use of these resources will continue to grow until we reach a sustainable plateau. Also, electric motors are far more efficient than standard internal combustion engines. While electric cars can utilize around 90% of its stored energy, gas cars can only use about 30%, the rest being dissipated as heat. This means that electric cars are three times as efficient. This coupled with the fact that an increasing amount of electricity is being generated by renewable resources means that electric cars contribute to the releasing of far less CO2 per mile driven. It varies depending on factors such as car and driving style but, as an example, driving a Tesla Model S in California results in the emission of about one-quarter of the CO2 than would be released by a standard car. The concerns around the lithium used in newer battery packs have been similarly blown out of proportion. Lithium, along with being cheap, is recyclable. As long as we are aware enough not to release it back into the environment in a harmful manner, it can be recycled and used to make new batteries in a safe and non-polluting way.

         For any other doubters left out there, I will add that driving an electric car is thrilling. Having driven both a Nissan Leaf and a Tesla Roadster, I can honestly say that they are not ‘compromises’ to a standard car. While they are currently outside of a reasonable price range for most Americans, prices are rapidly falling and will continue to do so as the technology improves and the demand increases (early computers cost $500,000 after all). In addition, they are stylish, cheap to maintain and operate, fun to drive, and they are fast (in fact, the Roadster drastically outperforms similarly priced sports cars like the Porsche 911). Many people hesitate after seeing a range limited to around 100 miles, yet 90% of Americans drive their cars less than 30 miles per day. The Tesla Model S also offers an optional 300 mile range battery pack, showing that this fear of a limited range will virtually disappear in the coming years, especially with the increasing availability of charging stations. Additionally, plugging in the vehicle each night is by no means a burden. It takes just a few seconds and saves money compared to filling up with gas. It is much more convenient than going out of your way to stand at a pump.

         As the incorporated technologies continue to improve and become cheaper as gas prices rise, electric cars will inevitably see a rise in demand. Projections differ, but many people expect to see millions of electric cars on the roads by 2020. This is a great opportunity for the United States to again dominate the car industry if they act quickly. We have Tesla and the Chevy Volt, yet there is still major hesitance within American car companies to invest in the technology, while companies like Toyota, Nissan, and Honda threaten to lead the market. The Chinese government is ambitiously investing $15 billion over the next five to ten years to develop electric cars, while the U.S. is investing less than one-fifth of that. This market has huge potential, yet the longer we wait, the more ground we lose to competitors who realize this. It is not just the job of the market to give us what we want, but it is our responsibility as consumers to make mindful and educated decisions with full awareness of the effects of our actions. And be assured, there are very real consequences that come with our actions.