Electric Cars, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Electric cars mostly involve the use and application of new automobile systems through the use of electric motors and energy especially the rechargeable energy stored in form of batteries and other energy storage tools. In most cases, electric cars motors energy systems provides electric cars with instant power and condition that accelerates their speed. According to various research based studies and reports, it is clear that the first electric car model was produced in early 1880s. [1]The use of electric cars in the society was also common in late nineteenth centuries and early twentieth century’s. However, the introduction of well established internal combustion engines systems and other low and cost effective gasoline products and vehicles led to reduction in their use later in 1970s.

Several research based studies and reports also indicate that the global energy crises of late 1970s and early 1980s later promoted individuals interests towards the use of electric cars ion the society. From 2008 onwards the production and manufacturing of electric cars has been under steady increase due to the development of proper batteries, increase in oil prices as well as the need for the reduction of green house gases emission in the atmosphere and due increase in the global energy management systems.  Due to this, majority of global government policies are currently promoting the production of effective electric cars in order to reduce these challenges.  Electric cars provide a number of benefits including provision of environment friendly conditions since they do not produce gases that can pollute the environment.  The cars also do not cause global warming since they reduce the percentage of green house gases emission in the atmosphere. Despite this numerous advantages and benefits, there are various challenges and problems facing the electric cars industry including high prices and cost of the cars and low availability of the rechargeable energy systems that the car use among many other challenges and problems.

In addition, the recent research based studies indicate that the sales volumes of electric cars are currently increasing at high rate as the cost of rechargeable batteries of the cars decrease. Several research reports and publications also indicate that there are more than thirty models of electric cars in various countries such as the United States, Japan, China and other Western based European countries.[2] Examples of current electric cars model include Nissan Leaf, Tesla Models cars as well as other BMW hybrid cars.

Therefore, the main purpose and aim of this paper is to discuss various facts and information about electric cars including the history of electric cars, various trends about electric cars as well as various innovative activities and practices that led to the development of electric cars. The paper will also focus on the analysis of various social and economic growth factors that have led to the rapid growth and development of electric cars in various countries globally. Furthermore, the paper will also evaluate whether the use of electric cars is based on regional or global trend and patterns.  Finally, the paper will outline some of the major business trends, socio-economic implications and various current issues involving electrical cars industry.

History of Electric Cars

Historically, the first electric car was invented in early 1834 by Thomas Davenport especially through the use of small electric railcar products. However, this car was not strong enough even to carry the weight of its batteries.  According to various research based reports and studies, France and England form some of the first countries globally to develop electric cars especially during late 1880s.[3]

However in early 1895, Americans also began involvement in the development and production of electric cars. By end of 1890s and early 1900s a number of innovative electrics cars were produced in various technological advance countries such as the United States. For example, in early 1897 the first commercial based electric car model was established in New York City and was later adopted in the taxi transportation business practices in the country. There are also various innovative and creative electric cars that have been produced in the United States including the Wood’s Phaeton electric car model that was produced in early 1902 and was able to cover around eighteen miles at a speed of about fourteen miles per hour. The car market price and cost was around $2,000 in late 1902.

In late 1899 and early 1900s, there was massive production of electric cars in the United States due to their numerous advantages. For example, cars do not pollute the environment, do not vibrate and do not produce noise pollutions that are mostly associated with gasoline based cars. Furthermore, changing gears in the first gasoline’s cars was very difficult while electric cars did not involve changing of gears especially while driving them in the society.  Start up speed for other non-electric cars such as steam-powered cars was very low and could take bout forty five minutes especially during cold mornings and days.[4]  There were also various challenges and problems associated with availability off roads as most of the good roads in the society were majorly in big towns. All these problems and challenges associated with non-electric cars such as steam-powered and gasoline based cars led to the adoption of electric cars as the best mode of transport in the United States in early 1900s. In addition, it evident from a number of researches based studies and reports that the ideal market price for electric cars during this period was around $1,000 while the market price for fancy electric cars designed for the upper class individuals in the society was about $3,000 especially by the end of 1910.

However, by the end of 1920s there was a decline in the production and use of electric cars in the United States due to a number of factors.  For example, by the end of 1920s the country had various better road systems that people could use to drive their non-electric cars. This is also led to the introduction of a wide range of vehicles in the society. Furthermore, the discovery of Texas crude oil led to the reduction of gasoline prices and this promoted the use of gasoline based vehicles in the society. There was also the invention and discovery of electric starter by Charles Kettering in late 1912 that promoted the starting speed of steam powered cars thus eliminating the hand crank problems of the car. There was also mass production of internal combustion engine cars by Henry Ford in the United States by the end of early 1920s. The internal combustion engine cars were more cost effective and affordable to the majority of individuals in the society. For example, the market price and cost of these cars was around $500 to around $1,000.

By the end of 1935, the use of electric vehicles and cars in the society was very limited up to around 1970s when global energy prices became a problem in the society. There are various firms that promoted the production of electric cars in early 1960s and late 1970s including the Battronic truck firm in England.[5] The first electric car that was produced by Battronic Truck Company was produced joint coordination by Potomac Edison firm in 1964. The car was able to move at a speed of twenty five miles per hour and covered a range of sixty two miles with a payload of about two thousand five hundred pounds. The Battronic truck firm also works closely with the general electric firm from early 1973 to late 1983 and they managed to produce around one hundred and seventy five electric vans during that period especially through the use of battery powered systems. The company also developed various passenger based buses especially in around mid-1970s.

Moreover, in early 1975 the United States Postal unit adopted the use of electric cars especially from the American Motor firm in order to use in their test programs. These cars were moving at a maximum speed of 50 mph and covered a range of about forty miles. The recharge time for these vehicles was about ten hours range. [6]

In late 1990s, the government initiated a number of policies and procedures that were mainly implemented and designed to improve the use of electric vehicles and cars globally.  For example, there is the 1990 clean air policy that was designed by the energy regulation in the United States in order to reduce control, prevent and reduce the emission of gasoline based gases in the atmosphere. The policy also demanded for the provision of zero pollution cars in the society.  Today, there are various super high speed electric vehicles that move at a speed of about 80 mph and includes the US Electricar S-10 electric pick up, Ford Ranger, GM EV 1 as well as Toyota RAV 4, Honda EV plus Sedan as well as other Nissan based electric cars in the United States. The diagrams below indicate some of the examples of   modern electric cars including the General Motors EV1 model modern electric car are shown below

Electric Cars Current Trends

Electric cars mainly run through the use of electricity. However, there are other hybrid cars that run through the use of electricity as well as through the use of other fuels such as gas and diesel.  According to recent research studies and reports, electric cars that run the use of electricity one hundred percent are much better for the environment than those that involve the use of fuels and electricity. This is because these vehicles do not pollute the environment and the cost of electricity is much cheaper compared to the cost of fuels. There are various currently available electric cars including Renault Twizy car, Mitsubishi i, Smart electric drive, Nissan Leaf as well as Ford Focus Electric car  and Chevy Spark EV. There is also the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric car, BMW i3, Tesla Model S, BMW i8and Cadillac ELR.

The market prices and miles distances of various electric car models are shown in the table below

According to current research based studies, it is clear that majority of Americans prefer the use of electric cars in their daily routine trips due to their fast speed. This is because majority of electric cars usually reliable and comfortable despite their high prices. The cars also provide environmental friendly conditions and clean surroundings.  Furthermore, recent research studies and publications indicate that the electric cars market is growing at a faster than other vehicle industries.  For example, more than seven thousand electric cars were sold in United States alone in the year 2012. There are around thirteen electric car models in the market and the number is expected to increase by the end of 2015.  The electric cars have plug-in sockets for their battery recharging systems and most cars can cover around seventy miles after effective recharging.  The use of electric vehicles provide good and effective mode of transportation globally and around eighty percent of the energy in the battery of the car is mostly used in providing power to the car. The cars also do not emit tailpipe pollutants on the environment thus do not cause global warming and other environmental problems in the society. The electric car batteries involve the use of lithium-ion batteries and the battery of the car is one of the most expensive parts of the car. However, through technological advancements it is expected that the car prices will reduce in near future.  In early 2009, the cost of one battery for electric cars was around $33, 000 while today the battery cost about $17, 000 and is expected to drop up to $10, 000 by the end of 2015.

Some of the major problems and challenges that individuals face while using electric cars include high cost of the cars based on the market prices. However, the car requires little general maintenance thus saves the customers money towards maintenance systems. In the United States, the cost of electric power is about three dollars to twenty five dollars per kilowatt-hour while the cost of gasoline fuel is around three point four two dollars per gallon. In that sense, using electric cars is cheaper in the long run since electric vehicle runs at high speed than the gasoline based cars.  In most cases, owners of electric cars charged their cars at night especially when the electric costs are lower. [7]There are also various public charging stations in various parts of the country that promotes recharging of the cars. Furthermore, it is expected that the use of electric cars will increase in the United States over the last five years due to its cost effective benefits. It is expected that the sales of electric vehicles will grow to nearly six point six million per year globally by the end of 2020.

Today, majority of consumers have high alternatives on the type of electric car to purchase since there are more than twenty three models of electric cars. The cars will effectively provide sustainable future and this will reduce over dependence on foreign oil and other fuels in the country as well as lowering the carbon pollution effects of gasoline based cars. According to the US president, Barrack Obama the use of electric cars will promote economic development of the country to a large extent. In that sense, business partners, engineers and scientist should develop the best strategies of developing new and best models of electric cars.

Therefore, the major trends influencing the development of electric cars in the United States as well as in various countries globally include the high marker costs and prices of the cars, the range of miles covered as well as the availability of the batteries of electric cars. According recent research studies and reports, electric cars have been around for more than one hundred and eighty years and were mostly popular and common in early 1900s, 1970s as well as today in the society. In most cases the electric cars batteries are usually recyclable since they contain valuable metals such as lithium-ion which can be charged easily. There are types of electric cars with varying speeds. The use of electric cars has been adopted in the United States taxi operations.

Several research based studies and reports also indicate that china and United Kingdom are some of the countries that embrace the use of electric cars among many other global countries. The electric cars do not produce carbon dioxide and do not depend on oil for their lubrication systems.  The cars do not produce noise pollution and are more effective in transportation of individuals from place to place in the society.  The electric cars trends are globally since it involves a number of countries including the United States, China, France, Japan, Germany as well as Norway and United Kingdom

Business Implication

There are a number of business implications for the various trends of electric car vehicle sales. For example, it is clear that there is a growing demand and need for the use of electric cars in the society globally. In that sense, business owners should aim at expanding their electric cars operations and activities in various countries globally. It is also expected that the prices of electric cars will go down in near future due to technological advancements. This calls for business owners to promote purchasing of electric cars in different environments and then sale them at high prices to increase their market shares and sales volume. Global firms dealing with electric cars should also reduce the prices of their cars in order to promote their competitive advantage. It is also important that these firms provide high quality, cost effective and innovative electric cars that will attract various customers globally. The prices of oil have been declining in the recent past and this may influence the prices of electric cars in various countries globally.

Therefore, enterprises  and business owners especially those dealing with the sales of electric cars should adopt proper analysis of the electric vehicle trends including the increase demand for the vehicles globally and availability of government support towards the production of electric vehicles. This will increase their profitability and revenue generation.

Socio-Economic Implications

According to various economists’ perspectives and viewpoints, the decline in the oil prices globally has low chances of lowering or negatively influencing the sales of electric cars globally. This is because electric cars provide far much more benefits including environmental friendly environments, faster transportation systems and also reduces noise pollution in the environment. However, based on electric car buyers and consumer’s perspectives and opinions the reduction of oil prices will have low effect on the prices of electric cars globally. The electric cars are more cost effective in terms of maintenance and speed limits compared to gasoline powered cars. The cost of charging an electric car is also relatively cheaper.

There are also those who argue that some buyers get attracted to electric cars mainly because they are expensive and the cars reliability towards the provision of clean environment. The cars do not produce tail pipe gases such as carbon dioxide as these attracts a number of buyers especially those in the upper social class in the society.  According to Tesla Motors firm, the electric cars provide low maintenance cost, promote parking space and can also be recharge at home any time.  However, there are also those who argue that the prices of the car batteries are too much and are about half the price of the car. For example, the Nissan Leaf electric car model battery is very expensive in the society. In that sense, there is need for more technological research studies in order to promote the development of low prices batteries.  Furthermore, electric car batteries usually degrade over time and should not be based on high market prices. Therefore, the socio-economic implication of the trend includes the need for provision of proper and cost effective batteries of the electric model. [8]This will reduce the negatively influence that the reduction of cost of oil prices may have on the sales of electric cars globally.

Current Issues and Future Outlook

There are various current issues that influence electric car business operations and activities. This includes the high cost and market prices of the cars.  There are also factors that influence electric vehicles sales and use in the society such as running cost, mileage cost as well as total cost of owning the cars. There is also increase in the demand for electric cars and this is resulting into a worrying trend on how the electricity to promote the use of these cars will be produce in various countries globally.  There are also various safety conditions and risk that influence the manufacturing of electric vehicles including cases of fire outbreaks, vehicle safety as well as effects of the cars on the pedestrians. Cabin heating as well as cooling systems of the electric cars are also complicating and may be problematic in the management of electric cars.

Many countries that depend on oil as the main source of their income including countries in the Middle East also fear that their economic development and growth will decline due to the wide use of electric cars globally. However, countries such as United States which do not produce oil also argue that the use of electric cars will promote their economic development.  The lifespan of the electric cars and their batteries is also one of the factors that influence the use and production of electric cars.  However, it is evident from various research based studies and reports that electric cars do not pollute the environment, promote transportation speed and also efficient in controlling global oil prices. In that sense, various government policies such as United States are currently promoting the buying of electric cars by individuals in the society.

[1] Marshall Brain. 2015. How Electric Cars Work

[2] Edison Tech Center. 2015.  Electric Cars

[3] KPBS. 2015. Timeline: History of the Electric Car

[4] The History of Electric Cars. 2002.

[5] Rebecca Matulka. 2012.  Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Electric Vehicles

[6] Electric Cars Facts. 2015.

[7] Why the Low Oil Prices Will Not Harm Sales of Electric Cars. 2015.

[8] The Statistics Portal. 2015. Projected Electric Car Production in Selected Countries in 2015