Why Zero-Emission Cars are better than the Fuel Car - Case Study Example

Introduction Since the 21st century came in, there have been robust debates concerning the need to protect and conserve the environment (Reynolds, 2012). More specifically, the motor industry has been under immense pressure to manufacture cars with little emission. While many car manufacturers have achieved significant success in this regard, much more still need to be done to cut down on emissions by motor vehicles. The motor industry has achieved great milestones in cutting emissions by manufacturing unique and efficient cars ranging from the fuel cars, hybrid cars, and the electric cars (Boxwell & Boxwell, 2011). Although the hybrid cars have substantially reduced the emissions as compared to the fuel cars, it is worth noting that the Zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) have succeeded in eliminating emissions. As compared to the fuel cars, the zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) are much better in terms of efficiency and environmental aspect. On the other hand, the hybrid cars blend the functionalities of both electric and fuel cars and therefore, they come in between in terms of efficiency (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2004). Despite the fact that the fuel cars have considerably cut down on their emission over the past one decade, the zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) have completely no gaseous, liquid, or particulate emission, making them much better option. Zero-emission Vehicles (ZEV) Essentially, the zero-emission vehicles have no tailpipe that is common in fuel and hybrid cars. It means that the zero-emission cars do not emit any pollutants such as hydrocarbons, lead, soot, ozone, or carbon monoxide (Boxwell & Boxwell, 2011). This aspect makes them especially environmentally friendly besides helping them to be more efficient. In this respect, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have both approved the zero-emission cars as being the best cars for the 21st century when the protection of the environment has become a big issue. Indeed, the organizations have classified emission of volatile organic compounds by vehicles in the same level as those emitted by factories (Reynolds, 2012). When it comes to the vehicles that have zero emission, it is worth noting that vehicles powered by muscle top the list. Examples of such vehicles include the bicycle and vehicles that use electric power stored in batteries (Crawford, 2013). Hydrogen powered vehicles are not necessarily zero-emission vehicles, as they emit some vapor. Therefore, hydrogen powered vehicles can be said to be partial zero-emission vehicles. Perhaps one perfect example of a zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) is the Tesla Model S electric car, which won the Green car of the Year Award. The classification of the zero-emission cars is normally majorly so because such cars do not produce any form of emission, since they do not have a tailpipe (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2004). Types of Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV) According to Reynolds (2012), two types of zero-emission vehicles exist within which other subcategories follow. These include the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and the plug-in electric cars, vehicles that have no tailpipes to emit the volatile combustion products. The plug-in electric cars are simply electric cars with rechargeable batteries that can be recharged at designated points along the journey (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2004). On the other hand, the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can be hybrid cars that used compressed combustion engines thus maximizing efficiency (Crawford, 2013). Under the zero-emission vehicles, a number of cars from various car-manufacturing companies exist. However, it is important to remember that America has taken the lead as far as the operationalization of the zero-emission cars is concerned (Boxwell & Boxwell, 2011; Brown, 2007). Advantages of Zero-Emission Cars over the Fuel Cars Although the gasoline cars have certain advantages over the zero-emission, cars, it is critical to point out that the ZEVs have many more advantages to the gasoline cars, especially in the modern era. The clamor to save the environment has gone global and digital and the motor vehicle industry is heavily affected in this regard (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2004). The gasoline car manufacturers have tried their best to reduce the emission of the vehicles they manufacture but this does not seem to be satisfactory as far as the global environmental goal is concerned (Crawford, 2013). Accordingly, the car manufacturers and the dealers in the auto industry have come up with various remedies ranging from hydrogen cars to hybrid cars (Shrivastava, 2005). However, the discovery of the electric car is perhaps the biggest break in the motor vehicle industry, particularly when it comes to the enhancement of the Efficiency The Zero-emission cars have no emissions at all, unlike the hybrid and the gasoline cars that heavily pollute the environment. There are two important aspects as far as emissions by motor vehicles are concerned (Wimmer & Muni, 2012). First, the efficiency of the motor vehicle and the environmental aspect of the emission play an instrumental role in determining the capacity of the car to contribute to the green revolution (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2004). Ordinarily, the gasoline cars have an efficiency of 25%, meaning that 75% of all the energy derived from the gasoline goes into the waste through the tailpipe. Undeniably, this is a huge loss not only to the vehicle’s power system, but also to the owners of such vehicles (Van & Vergragt, 2004). When it comes to the electric cars that are usually zero-emission cars, it is worth noting that the efficiency of over 90% is recorded. After the burning of the fossil fuel in large power plant, the energy produced is stored in batteries that the zero-emission cars consume efficiently. Therefore, there is no doubt that the zero-emission cars beat the gasoline cars when it comes to efficiency in energy consumption (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2004). Environmentally friendly Since there is a close association between the efficiency of a car and its environmental friendliness, the fuel cars are far detrimental to the environment than the zero-emission cars (Van & Vergragt, 2004). Although some gasoline cars have extremely low levels of emissions, it is important to note that it is better to eliminate the emission from cars completely than to have low levels of emission (Reynolds, 2012). It is majorly because, all the same, any emission has an adverse impact on the environment. Although the diesel engines are slightly efficient than the petrol engines at between 30 and 35% efficiency, the figure is still not good enough for environmental posterity (Boxwell & Boxwell, 2011). In this respect, it is better to own, drive, and buy a zero-emission vehicle, as it will not only save the cost in the long-term, but it will also help collectively in preserving the environment, which is a precious aspect of life (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2004). Dissenting opinions Despite the fact that the advent of the zero-emission cars in the leading developed states has proved a positive point in terms of energy consumption, critics have come out strongly against the idea. In essence, such critics argue that the vehicle manufacturing companies produce a lot more pollution through the manufacturing process (Crawford, 2013). Furthermore, they claim that the processes of vehicle manufacture lead to large quantity emissions that the entire fleet that they manufacture would not match in many years (Shrivastava, 2005). Hence, it would be unreasonable to place so much emphasis on the efficiency of the vehicle when there is inefficiency at the manufacturing plants, at least according to them (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2004). Reynolds (2012) states that most of the opponents of the launch of the zero-emission vehicles are the oil manufacturers and distributors who risk running out of business if the current trend continues (Van & Vergragt, 2004). They do not oppose the new technology that has gained rapid popularity due to its shortcomings but because of business interests. From the issues that they are raising, it is evident that they are fighting a loading battle in the sense that they have no concrete recommendation or objection (Wimmer & Muni, 2012). Therefore, it can be seen that the zero-emission vehicles have thrived amid stiff opposition from interest groups. It can be attributed to the numerous benefits that they have proved to bring both to the society and to the environment (Boxwell & Boxwell, 2011). Challenges of Zero-Emission Vehicles Despite the fact that the zero-emission vehicles have managed to promise a bright future in terms of energy efficiency and reduction in carbon emissions, it is worth noting that the vehicles face a number of challenges, being the first ones to be introduced in the motor industry (Boxwell & Boxwell, 2011). One major setback is the need to install enough stations where the electric cars will get their charge in case their batteries run out of power (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2004). Another challenge is popularization of the zero-emission vehicles across the globe in order to optimize the impact of enhanced efficiency. For instance, in the United States alone, the introduction of zero-emission cars is set to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide by an unprecedented 30% (Reynolds, 2012). In conclusion, the introduction of the zero-emission cars is a timely idea that will eliminate or reduce the challenges that the fuel cars have brought to the world. Particularly, the zero-emission cars are at an advantage when it comes to matters of efficiency and environment. Since energy is a major issue across the globe coupled with the challenge of global warming, it is only reasonable that the world should embrace the zero-emission cars, as opposed to the gasoline cars. References Boxwell, M., & Boxwell, M. (2011). The 2011 electric car guide: Your guide to buying and owning an electric car. Ryton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire, U.K: Greenstream Pub. Brown, A. S. (2007). Fuel cells down the road? Mechanical Engineering, 129(10), 36-39. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/230164697?accountid=45049 Crawford, M. (2013). Cars without Combustion. Mechanical Engineering, 135(9), 38-43. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1444065166?accountid=45049 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2004). Can cars come clean?: Strategies for low-emission vehicles. Paris: OECD. Reynolds, L. (2012). The business leader's guide to the low carbon economy. Burlington, VT: Gower. Shrivastava, P. (2005). Sustainable transportation strategies: China. Greener Management International, (50), 53-63. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/211489137?accountid=45049 Van, D. H., & Vergragt, P. J. (2004). Institutional change in the automotive industry: Or how fuel cell technology is being institutionalised. Greener Management International, (47), 45-61. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/211468986?accountid=45049 Wimmer, E., & Muni, A. (2012). Motoring the future: VW and Toyota vying for pole position. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Read More