Introduction

The debate on electric cars has been extensive for a long time. The usage of gasoline powered vehicles resulted in the collapse of electric vehicles as fuel based vehicles were better and more economical at that time. Manufacturers have taken steps to improve the functionality of electric cars to help improve their demand (Graham-Rowe 143). The films “Who killed electric car” and “Revenge of the Electric Car” have focused on varied aspects revolving around the electric car.

Who Killed the Electric Car?

Following the 2006 documentary film, the oil industry, automobile manufacturers, and the government had a hand in the killing of the electric cars. The oil industry started to put pressure on automobile manufacturers more precisely General Motors so that they could desist with the production of electric cars. There was fear that oil companies would lose the monopoly that they were enjoying at the time with regards to transportation fuel. As more electric vehicles were being produced, the more this industry lost its market share, and this would work to reduce the projected profits in future.

When it comes to the automobile companies, there was fear of the short-term costs that would be associated with the development of electric vehicles. There was also the fear that these vehicles would result to increased maintenance and no tune-ups. The aspect would result in increased loss of revenue to the manufacturers. The film asserts that General Motors; who were the pioneers of the development of electric motors also played a part in sabotaging their own development. Among the ways that the company did this is by demonstrating to the people of California that the demand for these vehicles was not there. This resulted in the company taking back all the electric vehicles and destroyed them.

The federal government had joined the oil and automobile industries in lobbying against the California Air Resources Board to ensure that they had dropped their requirement of the cars being delivered in that state to have the prospects of zero-emission. The film attributes the move by the federal government to be induced by the profit cycle that was involved. This is because the government was benefiting from the success of these industries in one way or another and the reduction in profits would result in the reduction of its share too.

Re-emergence of the Electric Car

The potential of electric cars hitting the market with a high frequency is very likely at the moment. Most people have started to become conscious of the environment. This has been attributed to the campaigns that have been going around regarding the impacts that global warming would have on the environment. People have become more informed on what are the main causes of this phenomenon. This has created the desire among the people that are environment conscious to cut on activities that result in increased carbon emissions in the atmosphere (Gerdes 46). Adoption of electric cars at the expense of fuel driven cars has come out among the ideas that will help in this realization. This means that there will be an increased demand for electric cars hence paving the way for the EV comeback.

People are also being driven to demand electric vehicles since they will work to help in reduction of the money that they would have spent on fuel costs. In the current economy where the cost of almost everything is rising, the modest of chances that come with the reduction of cost in a given area would be highly appreciated by the consumers hence meaning its demand will be high(Graham-Rowe 151).

The companies involved in the manufacturing of electric cars have also taken their efforts a notch higher. There have been colossal investments in research and development to help improve aspects of the electric car that are not desirable. Among the areas that these companies have focused on is the electric system of the car. This is among the areas that make the production of these vehicles quite expensive compared to the ones consuming gasoline. Manufacturers are now learning the art of reducing such costs. The reduction of these costs implies that the prices of the vehicles will go down too. The decrease in prices implies an increased demand for the vehicles since more people will now afford them (Larminie 101). Issues such as the performance levels of the vehicles are being enhanced in accordance to the liking of the concerned consumers.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Electric Car

Advantages

Among the advantages of the electric car is that it does not require gas for operation. The system is entirely charged by electricity hence there is no need of buying gas. This is an aspect that results in massive savings given the amount of funds that people spend in a year to fuel their vehicles (Graham-Rowe 147). The money that has been saved can be used in other areas. People would argue that electricity is not free, but the cost of electricity is way cheaper compared to gas.

The electric car does not result in emissions too. It is eco-friendly as it runs on electricity powered engine. This implies that it does not emit gases to the environment. This is a good thing given that carbon emissions associated with fuel powered vehicles are detrimental to the environment as they contribute to global warming and climate change. The gases are also a health hazard as they can contribute to the prevalence of chronic diseases associated with air pollution (Gerdes 63). Such aspects have resulted to increased expenditures on health matters, while this is something that can be avoided.

The electric car is also a low maintenance since there is no need of lubricating the engine since it is powered by electricity. The car also makes it possible for the reduction of noise pollution more so on busy areas, which is a good thing.

Disadvantages

Among the disadvantages of the electric car are the short driving range and speed.  Most of the cars have a range of 50-100 miles, and there is need to recharge again (Larminie 114). This means for now they cannot be used for long journeys.

The vehicles also have a longer recharge time. The electric car can take around 4 to 6 hours to get fully charged. It only takes a gasoline powered car a few minutes hence this working as a disadvantage for the electric car.

The silence associated with the car works as a disadvantage too. This is because it can easily lead to an accident as people using the road cannot hear them from a distance.

The Best Electric Car in the Market

It is difficult to be outright on this front since every electric car out there has its own unique features. However, I would go with the Hyundai Ioniq Electric since it seems to give a unique proposition. It was the only automobile that came with the choice of three varied electrified powertrains.   The car can manage 0-62 mph within 9.9 seconds as this is enabled by the car’s 118bhp electric motor. The car also has the ability to actualize 174 miles while it is fully charged; not many electric cars can boast of this aspect.

Conclusion

The electric car tends to illicit debate among people given that there those who favor them while there others who are not fanatics. Apart from the demand for these vehicles, there are other affect their presence in the market. The stakeholders involved ought to educate the public to help them understand what these cars are all about to help more people embrace them. Electric cars provide a favorable solution of curbing the monopoly established by the oil companies at the moment. When there are alternatives to choose from, oil prices will definitely decrease. This is also a good thing for future global warming since carbon emissions will reduce.

Works Cited

Gerdes, Louise I. Hybrid And Electric Cars. 1st ed., Greenhaven Press, 2014,.

Graham-Rowe, Ella et al. “Mainstream Consumers Driving Plug-In Battery-Electric And Plug-In Hybrid Electric Cars: A Qualitative Analysis Of Responses And Evaluations”. Transportation Research Part A: Policy And Practice, vol 46, no. 1, 2014, pp. 140-153. Elsevier BV.

Larminie, James, and John Lowry. Electric Vehicle Technology Explained. 1st ed., Hoboken, N.J., Wiley, 2013,.

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