Essay Electric Car

Why are auto manufacturers switching to electric?
Alan Zhang Block B
In recent years, many auto manufacturers have been making a shifting in development
focus from gasoline to electric-powered vehicles. But before that, auto manufacturers have relied
on gasoline for years, because it had long-distance capability, reasonable price, simple operation,
and it is powered by a cheap, abundant, and widely accessible energy. Although attempts had
been made to produce electric cars during the 20th century, why didn’t they succeed? Why have
so many auto manufacturers decided to focus on investing in electric vehicles again? And what
compelled them to do so?
In 1900, only 22% of cars used gasoline, while 38% of cars used steam engines and 40%
used electricity. In the beginning, steam vehicles dominated the global automotive industry, but
sadly, they were impractical. Steam vehicles need to take 45 minutes to warm up in cold
weather, and their range was severely constrained by the need to constantly refill their tanks.
Also, starting them up with a crank lever took a lot of time and effort, and shifting gears was a
difficult procedure. While gasoline-powered cars were superior to steam-powered vehicles in the
early time, they had a foul odour and noisy voice, and frequently tremble and shake. Due to the
low noise and simple operation, electric vehicles are considered to be the best personal
transportation of the future, as well as being ideal for quick city tours.
Ford Henry deserved credit for making electric vehicles affordable to the middle class at
the turn of the century. Before that, electric vehicles were considered an expensive novelty,
mainly for the rich. He came up with a technology that would make it cheaper to produce electric
vehicles than all the other automakers combined, thus producing them more efficiently.
Compared to an electric vehicle that costs $43,000, Ford's best-known model at the time, the
Model T, sold for just $6,400. However, road conditions gradually improved, allowing people to
Alan Zhang Block B
travel outside of cities, and the increased availability of gasoline-powered automobiles led to the
end of electric vehicles.
In the past two decades, many countries have begun to adopt stricter emission measures
as concerns about the natural environment have increased. California will prohibit any auto
manufacturer from selling new passenger vehicles powered by internal combustion engines in
2035, followed by a ban on medium and heavy-duty trucks in 2045. Prior to that, a 1994 statute
on vehicle emissions was introduced to the auto manufacturers that are selling vehicles in
California, “The Clean Air Act allows California to seek authorization to enforce its standards
for new nonroad engines and vehicles, despite the preemption which prohibits states from
enacting emission standards for new nonroad engines and vehicles.” (United States
environmental protection agency, JUNE 13, 2022). This new policy opened a new door for the
world-renowned auto manufacturer, Toyota, who soon released their new product, the Toyota
Prius, known as the best-selling vehicle in California. Due to California’s stricter pollution
regulations for cars, owning a car like the Prius was a better choice for people with its less fuel
consumption and lower emissions, thus helped both the environment and personal wallets. For
commuters, Prius was a wonderful option as well. It had subsequently been welcomed and
praised by numerous celebrities. All these made Prius lead the way to a new era of electric
vehicles, and to other auto manufacturers starting to invest in the production of EVs.
Euro 7 emissions standards, the EU’s stricter emissions guidelines are coming into effect in
2025, which will reduce emissions significantly. But today’s engine technology makes it difficult
for automakers to meet the new standard. Although the EU 7 has not yet been formalized, two
major German automakers have already abandoned engine development, and Audi is one of
them.
Alan Zhang Block B
Audi was founded in 1910 in cologne, Germany, Audi is known for its good
performance, sophisticated interiors, the unique Quattro all-wheel-drive system and its
technology and style. Almost every model has a premium cabin. Audi has invested heavily in
diesel research and development, and many enthusiasts are pleased with the results. But Audi has
recently started to develop of electric vehicles, which are more environmentally friendly and less
expensive to maintain than cars with diesel or gasoline engines. As a result, Audi has decided to
stop selling cars with gasoline, diesel, and hybrid engines in 2026. With 4 models available for
purchase, the Q4 e-Tron SUV has already received a lot of compliments for its superb handling,
speed, style, comfort, and functionality. Compared to Tesla, Audi is quite competitive with
premium products, such as the e-Tron GT. However, replacing all of its product line with just 4
models will not stabilize Audi’s performance.
Many nations have started to implement strict emission regulations with current
environmental concerns, so many auto manufacturers like Audi are investing in the EV market.
The next 30 years will see a historic revolution in the automotive industry, with more new
technologies being introduced as the times go by, and a change in transportation means a change
in culture. Additionally, there are a wide variety of transportation needs in every city, and the
way we think about and interact with cars will change over time. For car enthusiasts, while the
future may be scary, fate is not set in stone.

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Why are auto manufacturers switching to electric?

Alan Zhang Block B

compelled them to do so?

end of electric vehicles.

models will not stabilize Audi’s performance.

future may be scary, fate is not set in stone.

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