Electric cars will prove viable
The first hybrid vehicles introduced over the past decade, such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, combined an electric motor with a conventional gas engine to provide increased efficiency in stop-and-go driving conditions. While the dual propulsion model affords the ability to adapt to different driving situations, it also burdens the car with additional weight and mechanical complexity. Such hybrid vehicles have become popular over the past decade, but the latest models brought to market include those that let the vehicle drive completely on electric power for some period of time, such as the Chevrolet Volt, as well as standalone battery-powered electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus EV, and Tesla Roader and upcoming Model S.
As is typical with new technology, all of these models have or will command a hefty price premium over conventional gasoline models, even with state and federal subsidies factored in. The initial tight supply means they are available only to a few early adopters willing to pay the high prices, and these limitations have ignited ferocious debate as to whether or not EV’s will ever be viable for the mainstream consumer. We believe we are at a turning point in the automobile industry; while EV’s will never be a perfect fit for all situations, the rapid development taking place will bring about a host of practical new choices for consumers. Here are our responses to the most common arguments against EV technology:
"Batteries are expensive, heavy, and dangerous." Right now, batteries are bulky and expensive due to the use of rare metals used in their manufacture. But battery technology is young, and a relatively limited amount of research has gone into large-scale battery design. In the world of electronics, incremental improvements have allowed us to evolve from giant vacuum-powered mainframes to desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices that have become exponentially more powerful over time. As EV demand increases, proportionally more research will go into them, bringing about similar improvements in size and safety.
"EV’s are zero-emission at the tailpipe, but only because battery production shifts emissions to dirty power plants." When you consider the entire production chain of an EV versus a conventional engine, a greater proportion of share does come from manufacture rather than daily use. However, gas engines are very inefficient, converting no more than a quarter or so of gasoline’s energy into motion, and wasting the rest as heat. Power produced at a central plant is more efficient even for coal. The image of a coal plant spewing pollution out of a tower makes for bad publicity, but is still more efficient than millions of tiny power plants out on the road. This premise is supported by the concept of economies of scale. Plus, that central plant is likely to be maintained over time, and any efficiency improvements made to it will benefit everyone immediately, compared to car engines which tend to deteriorate over time. This doesn’t even take into account nuclear or solar options, which are even cleaner and bound to grow in use over time.
"They’re too expensive for anybody to afford." New technology is always too expensive for the mainstream consumer to afford. The limited supply means only a few relatively wealthy early adopters can afford to adopt it. However, those early high-margin products fund development of cheaper options, and as their supply increases, the price comes down to more reasonable levels. Similarly, luxury features available only in high-end cars, such as cameras and self-park features, continually trickle down into family cars within just a few years. Give it 5 or 10 more, and many more affordable options will be available.
"The range is too limited for my family." According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, only a small fraction of commuters have a daily round-trip commute greater than the range of current EV models. Furthermore, given the large number of multiple-vehicle families in the US, it would be perfectly reasonable to have one short-range EV vehicle sufficient for daily use and a conventional vehicle for longer trips, just as many families already have a smaller sedan and a second van or truck for when the need arises. Battery ranges will grow increasingly longer, and this gap will close over time.
"How is a nationwide system of charging stations supposed to emerge?" The same way a nationwide system of gasoline stations was built. Plus, it’s easier to run wires to a charging station than to dig and maintain an underground gasoline tank. Plenty of abandoned gas stations remain so due to the prohibitive cost and environmental impact of cleaning up the site. Plus, drivers can charge at home or at work; the battery doesn’t need to be depleted before charging.
"EV’s are too difficult to work on." Most people don’t bother to do work on their own car besides the very basics. Repair shops will stay in business since EV’s will still need battery, accessory, tire and brake maintenance; they’ll just have to learn and adapt to the newer technology to provide these services. Just as carriage builders and drivers had to adapt to the evolving market, so too will today’s mechanics. The systems of an EV are much simpler, so there are no hoses, belts, vacuums, pumps, etc. to fail. Perhaps most importantly, the flat torque band of an electric motor allows EV’s to eliminate one of the costliest and most complex items, the transmission, in favor of a lighter and simpler 1-speed unit.
"The power grid can’t support people charging EV’s all at once." Our infrastructure may need to be upgraded, but just as home electrical systems slowly upgraded to adequately power today’s electronics, heaters, and appliances, incremental improvements will be made to handle the task of charging EV’s. Some options, such as solar, allow charging to take place independent of the grid, and since the sun provides enough energy in an hour to power the entire Earth for a year, why not start to tap into it? Not everybody will charge at the same time during the day, and this transition will not come all at once, so there will be time to make the needed upgrades.
"EV’s are flimsy, slow econoboxes." Tesla’s Roadster and Model S dispel that notion. Electric motors have a flat torque curve, making power delivery smooth and quiet and ideal for applications from sports cars to luxury vehicles. They may not satisfy purists or those in need of a heavy-duty solution, but just because EV’s aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution doesn’t mean they’re not viable as a choice for the majority.
Each of these arguments has some merit but is seriously short-sighted. As research and development accelerate in the coming years, supply will increase, costs will fall, and bugs will be worked out. The vehicle market will fragment and decision to buy a gas versus an electric (or hydrogen, perhaps) vehicle will be made by consumers the same way they decide to buy a desktop PC versus a laptop versus a tablet. Once a few examples prove what can be done in terms of cleanliness, efficiency, speed