Donna Rasha

I chose option 2 Electric cars for my capstone project and that is because I have been very

intrigued about why we have been pushing society to switch to electric cars.

From the research I have done on this topic I have decided to defend this subject due to the pro’s

outweighing the cons. One of the major reasons I defend EV cars is because of the environment

and all the damage we are doing with fuel cars along with the ratio of carbon being put into the

air and it being absorbed by trees. Below are a few sites that I have found that vote yes and why

they do.

Trimech Enterprise solutions- https://enterprise.trimech.com/electric-vehicles-transforming-the-

world/#:~:text=From%20an%20Environmental%20Standpoint&text=The%20major%20benefit

%20of%20electric,driving%2C%20reducing%20air%20pollution%20considerably

“The major benefit of electric cars is the contribution that they can make towards

improving air quality in towns and cities. With no tailpipe, pure electric cars produce no

carbon dioxide emissions when driving, reducing air pollution considerably.”

Drive Clean CA. Gov- https://driveclean.ca.gov/top-reasons#:~:text=Environmental%20and

%20Health%20Benefits,cleaner%20air%20and%20better%20health.

Environmental and Health Benefits

“In full electric mode, an electric car produces zero tailpipe emissions, dramatically

lowering smog and greenhouse gas emissions even when considering electricity generation.

Cleaner cars mean cleaner air and better health.”

emit from fossil fuels. An average household will produce 20,000+ lbs of carbon just by driving

a car with a tailpipe that emits carbon into the air. When I calculated my household during my

lab in unit 5, I was at 24,000 lbs of carbon and I was shocked. With full electric mode cars there

is zero tailpipe emissions and that means a cleaner environment and better health for humans so

through knowledge I have gained I recommend full electric mode vehicles.

There are many stakeholders when it comes to the Electric Vehicle industry which would

include: Car manufacturers, Energy providers, Environmental institutions, and the Government.

But the main thing is how this effects humans and society and for the amount of carbon being

emitted we are suffering in the long run. This problem is worth investigating because in the past

2-3 decades we have seen a many allergies and reactions develop in the human society. A lot of

children today have nut allergies vs 30-40 years ago it was very rare and almost unheard of to

have such allergies. Respiratory issues are on the rise and cancer as well. I know most of these

things can be due to our food consumption but environment does play a big part.

The issue at stake is how do we eliminate a product that has been around for so long and has

been proven reliable. We also have the ability to fuel our cars in a matter of minutes along with

the ability to travel a long distance before needing to fuel up again. Most cars can travel 400+

miles without needing fuel.

The issue at stake here is the health of the human species. The environmental, climate and air

pollution problems that can be fixed with EV’s is very important with the information I have

found below.
But from an environmental benefit, we can reduce air pollution with the omitting of

tailpipe emissions, we also can reduce greenhouse gas emissions when we place into

consideration how EV’s tend to have a lower carbon footprint than gas vehicles, especially

as renewable energy sources become more prevalent. (paragraph cited from ChatGPT)

Fossil Fuels have also been questioned on how they affect climate change (escholorship.org-

Chapter 8 section 8.4.2 What Makes Fossil Fuels Terrible) “Fossil fuels also bring many

downsides. Chief on many peoples’ minds today is climate change, via CO2 emission- an

unavoidable consequence of combustion. Extracting energy from fossil fuels, leaves no

choice but to accept CO2 as a byproduct, in large quantities. We will say that increased

CO2 in the atmosphere changes the equilibrium temperature of Earth by altering how

effectively the surface can radiate heat away to space through the atmosphere.”

The best solution to solve the problems above are by promoting the use or purchase of an

Electric Vehicle vs. a Gas fueled vehicle. I do recommend the purchase of an EV due to the

Environmental impact, lowering the fuel consumption also reduces fuel costs for the consumer.

EV’s have also created a shift in renewable energy due to the use of batteries.

Many will argue that gas fueled cars still get a longer range of distance and overtime have proven

to be reliable, they will want to know how many miles will someone get before burning out their

battery? They way I am able to argue this is by stating the significant long term benefits the

EV’s offer to the environment, and most importantly the impact it will have on human health

years to come. We can’t forget that a new tree will not trap CO2 as much as an older tree can.

We can’t just plant a tree and think problem solved. A 30 year old tree will capture only 2.75lbs

of CO2 a year vs a 10 year old tree can only store .10lbs of carbon each year. (Based on
calculations from the Tree Carbon Calculator. https://treeplantation.com/tree-carbon-

calculator.html ) Evidence of this calculator helps me support this and I do think other scientists

would agree with me in making the argument that EV’s are better to society in the long run.

We can agree that this change can not be made overnight and will take time but the significance

of the change is beneficial. Society is slowly picking up on the changes and how they are

helping us in whole. We have started seeing many more EV’s being produced and driven on the

road year after year. I predict that in the next 10 years we may be at a 60/40 ratio 60% of

humans using fuel cars and 40% using electric. That is just a prediction but I think it could be by

the years 2030-2040. So going back to social significance EV’s provide better health, better

environment and social equality to humans. As far as science significance the energy

advancements has been proven to reduce climate change impacts.

Those who will benefit will be the human society and science. By continuing to innovate energy

resources, improve climate, improve air, and improve health. We are providing a positive change

to society. We have to look at the big picture not only for ourselves but for the children and

future children. The actions we take now can affect generations to come.

I recommend everyone to consider purchasing an Electric Vehicle as long as its cost effective to

them, we know its harder to get a used EV than a used gas fueled car at this time and even

buying a new one could be more than a gas fueled vehicle but do your research, don’t just

consider how it works for you today. Look strongly into how this will effect tomorrow and years

to come. Look also at the benefits to health and the longevity of life it can add to you and if you

have children them as well. Just like anything you do in life it is strongly suggested to do your

research and hopefully you come out with the solution that investing in an EV will be life

changing.
Sources:

1.ChatGPT

2. escholorship.org

3. Tree Carbon Calculator

4. Drive Clean CA.Gov

5. Trimech Entrprise Solutions