Case study about social and environmental importance of hybrid and electric vehicles
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Since the dawn of the modern era, consumption and distribution of energy has quickly become mankind’s highest priority. However, the continued apathetic attitude that was initially taken toward energy and its side effects can no longer be used. A new more environmentally friendly source of energy has to be utilized in order to fulfill our own needs otherwise we self-destruction while relying on non-renewable oil based methods. In the last few decades two new technologies have emerged; the development and implementation of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) and more recently the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). These emerging technologies may make it possible for the United States to adapt these technologies on a larger scale to reduce harmful emissions and cut our dependence on foreign oil dramatically. However, the future of the technologies will heavily depend on the everyday American consumer’s willingness to forgo the ‘tried and true’ combustion engine for the infantile technologies of the HEV and PHEV.
With the introduction and continued popularity of HEVs and as well as the recent hype over the PHEVs, the future of transportation in the United States is on the brink of change
. This project has objectives relevant to the aforementioned HEVs and PHEVs. First, verify if independence of foreign oil is truly a possibility and how to accomplish this feat. Second, identify the major motivators for the American consumers who purchase these vehicles and how that can be used to increase the sales of HEVs and PHEVs respectively.
The third and last objective is to determine the future impact of the all electric vehicle (EV). Earlier civilizations relied on a number of power sources such as water to turn wheels, to run mills, fire to heat water and create steam, or windmills to turn grinding stones. Since roughly
the 17th century various forms of oil have been used, such as kerosene, as fuel for lanterns. Even into the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries whales were hunted for their blubber which could be converted into oil among other things. In the more recent years with the invention of the combustion engine,which has not only increased the shear amount of oil consumed annually but also drastically augmented our dependence upon it in our daily lives.
Our oil ‘addiction’ has lead us to the realization that our usage has its limits, not only does the environment suffer adverse effects because of its use but our society is so dependent upon that if it were suddenly removed, most of modern society would ceas to function properly if it all. Without a reasonable
alternative this fate is all too possible and this has caused huge concerns over how, on a large scale, we can change our consumption habits and create a cleaner energy for our use.