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Harrison Williams

AP Language & Composition

Mrs. Danielle Crandall

29 March 2024

Examination of Electric Vehicles Negative Impacts

Introduction

Have you ever heard electric vehicles are more environmentally friendly than their

gasoline counterparts (Rhetorical question)? Since the creation of the electric powered car, the

main benefit for many green-minded and environmentally-friendly users continues to be the

environmental benefits this type of vehicle offers. The perceived benefit many believe EVs offer

results in many consumers turning their backs on the internal combustion engine, despite the

benefits gasoline vehicles offer to the user; however, the electric car does provide an overall

lower cost to run. On average, an electric car costs $945 a year, when paying for electricity,

while a gas car costs on average $1,117 for gasoline (Statistic). This cost benefit combined with

an absence of carbon emissions coming directly from the vehicle has interested many

pro-environment consumers and created a large community around the electric car due to its fast

development over the past decade.

Despite the benefits electric cars present to green-minded consumers, the electricity

required for large-scale recharging of these vehicles puts an increased strain on power grids not

designed for this increased flow of voltage. In addition, the electricity used to recharge one

electric car daily produces on average 4,063 kilograms of CO2 emissions per year when using

coal power plants to create this electricity. A gas car produces 4,170 kilograms of CO2 a year

when driven the same distance as the electric car (Statistic). The comparison of average

emissions, and the rise in popularity of this new technology calls for a reevaluation of the
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benefits of electric cars. Are these new vehicles truly more beneficial for the environment

(Rhetorical question)?

Looking at every aspect of the electric car debate highlights the principal focus of this

research paper. Therefore, I will thoroughly research the benefits and limitations of both electric

and gas cars to determine the overall impacts on the environment, infrastructure, and the user of

the car. This research will help inform buyers in the car market who hold environmental impact

as a priority to make a well informed decision when purchasing a vehicle.

Literature Review

Development of Alternative Vehicles

Since the creation of the electric car made by Thomas Edison in 1889, consumers have

been drawn to them for a variety of reasons. Initially, the creation of the electric car drew

attention to the “newly invented motor vehicle” which was “available in steam, gasoline or

electric versions” (Matulka) turning society away from horse transportation and towards a

mechanical era. As the gas engine developed at a much faster rate, the electric engine subsided as

“gasoline-powered cars [became] widely available and affordable” (Matulka). However, recent

technological innovations in electric cars have improved their capabilities such as longer battery

lives, farther driving ranges, improvements in accelerations, and higher top speeds have

increased this market for EV’s once again. One of the most important reasons the electric car

became popular again has been consumer preference for the electric cars’ environmental impact,

or rather the lack of an impact. The combustion engine produces carbon dioxide as a result of the

burning of natural gasses. In years past, carbon emission was not a large issue due to the

unawareness of the impacts it can present. Only in the past couple of decades has the idea of

using batteries to power an electric motor rather than gasoline taken over. A large population

increase combined with an increasing car market has raised awareness to promote alternative
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vehicles with less impact on the environment. There have been many types of alternative

vehicles such as “gasoline cars, battery electric cars, fuel cells electric (FCE) cars, compressed

natural gas (CNG) cars, liquid propane-butane gas (LPG) cars, etc” (Ivanov, Rosen, et al. 1).

While all alternative vehicles have been promoted due to “soaring oil prices” “gasoline

shortages” and “environmental concern[s]”, not all vehicle types are as beneficial as others

(Matulka). Recent studies conducted by Ivanov and colleagues demonstrate the “advantage of

electric cars over gasoline cars is consistently increasing” (Ivanov, et al. 9) and this push will

continue to grow as the green friendly era goes into full swing.

Environmental Effects of Electric Cars

While its widely known gas-burning cars have a negative effect on the environment,

research has also been done on the potential environmental effects of electric cars. Electric

vehicles themselves do not produce anything negative for the environment, but the tactics to

create energy to charge these cars are not so safe. Power plants running off coal as their energy

source produce an estimated “40% of global energy production” (Amster). While energy needs

to be produced, and coal presents a cheap method for mass producing power, “coal isn't always

clean-burning” (Healey). This method of energy production continues to be far from safe as

“coal-fired power plants release 84 of the 187 compounds listed as 'hazardous air pollutants' by

the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency” (Amster). Electric car batteries require unsafe

materials and use harmful production methods, making energy production not the only harmful

aspect of electric cars. Two main materials needed in batteries are lithium and cobalt. The

Democratic Republic of Congo has been “suffering a surge in pollution and birth defects as a

result of cobalt mining.” The DRC remains one of the leading producers in cobalt, producing
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“60 percent of global supply” (Swift 1). As a result, they have to suffer the consequences of EV

production.

Infrastructural Effects of Electric Car on Society

The power grid has been a widely contested topic when talking about its capabilities as to

if it could keep up with the increasing demand of vehicle charging with the rising population of

electric cars.The development of more EVs has the potential to “add stress to the local power

grid by increasing the amount of electricity a utility has to provide” in order to cover the

increasing demand (Prairie Land Electric Cooperative). The energy output usually increases with

higher populations. Current power grids are regarded as having a “lack of adequate charging

infrastructure” (Fanoro, Mokesioluwa, et al. 1). The predicted number of EV by 2030 was

recorded at just over 26 million cars as compared to the current number of 2.5 million. This

significantly increases the amount of power required to support society. Predictions indicate by

2030, the grid will need to produce “2.5% of what the U.S. grid produced in 2020”, dedicated

solely to recharging electric vehicles (EV Connect). While 2 percent does not seem like much, it

represents total energy output, and the United States needs to support a wide variety of utilities

rather than just individual transportation. Many believe with the addition of adequate

improvements, the power grid could efficiently keep up with the increasing demand for electric

vehicle use, as this development will “take planning on the part of utility companies in order to

handle it well” (EV Connect). Depending on how utility companies respond to this increasing

demand as more EVs are put out will determine the infrastructural effects of these vehicles.

Gas versus Electric Cars

There have been many comparisons between the gas and electric cars when looking at

their safety, practicality, and environmental impacts. A recent study which analyzed the crash of
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an electric car reported a “high risk and danger for people as well as for rescue units” due to the

chassis design producing an “electric shock if the high-voltage cables are damaged in the

accident” (Ballay, Kubas 2). While gas car crashes also pose significant dangers to those

involved and rescuers, the signs of a dangerous gas car accident can be seen or smelled due to

the potent fumes from oil or gas. Electricity from battery voltage cannot be seen or easily

detected, which poses a threat to emergency response units dealing with electric car vehicles. In

addition to their overall safety, a recent EPA act plans to “reduce nitrogen oxide emissions [from

gasoline cars] by about 260,000 tons”, which will “reduce harmful pollution and increase

efficiency” making gas cars more environmentally friendly, contradicting the recent push to

move towards electric cars (American Society of Safety Engineers 1). Practicality has also been

reviewed when looking at their two types of vehicles. One of the largest setbacks for the advance

of electric vehicles has been their “long recharge times” and “short driving range when compared

to standard ICE (Internal Combustion Engine)” (Fanoro, Mokesioluwa, et al. 1). While this

limitation holds a negative aspect for long drives or road trips, the batteries of an EV can be

charged overnight at the owner’s house, giving drivers a full “gas tank” everyday. In addition,

“the advantage of electric cars over gasoline cars is consistently increasing” (Ivanov, Rosen, et

al. 9). As the performance and capabilities of the EV improve with every year's newest model,

there continues to be a significant price gap, “Ford's electric Focus starts at $39,995” “The

gasoline Focus with automatic starts at $18,090” (Healey). The initial price for an electric

vehicle is higher than an ICE vehicle, but after this purchase, the cost to run is lower for EVs

when comparing watts of power to gallons of gas.

Argument
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With the increase in popularity of electric vehicles over recent years, the eco-friendly

aspect of recharging has given a glance at a potential cleaner future for society. This exponential

development in EV technology not only looks to revolutionize the automotive industry, but also

drastically reduce our carbon footprint. Advocates pushing for this transition to a battery

powered world often highlight the rechargeable aspect of electric cars, describing it as

environmentally friendly when compared to the emissions of a traditional gas powered internal

combustion engine. Despite this, a closer look reveals a much more complicated network of

challenges that needs to be addressed to fully understand the benefits of these vehicles. As

electric cars are developing at an exponential rate, the eco-friendly aspects of recharging

highlight the benefits of turning to a battery powered car. However, the poor manufacturing

methods for producing batteries, the use of coal power plants to generate electricity, and the

increased strain on an underdeveloped power grid exploit the negative effects of using electric

vehicles. Therefore, a fast paced development to an electric society has negative connotations

when considering both the social and environmental effects.

The methods in place for recharging and its impacts on carbon footprints are one primary

concern regarding the use of electric vehicles. Despite no emissions during the operation of the

vehicles, methods for producing electricity for recharging can have a noticeable environmental

impact due to the use of natural gas and coal generated power plants, as “40%” of energy

produced within the United States is produced using coal generated power plants, as recorded in

2021 by Eric Amster, a medicine specialist working for the International Journal of

Environmental Health Research (Amster). While these numbers have become slightly outdated

since 2021, increased use of natural gas power plants generate significant carbon emissions in

addition to coal power plants. Consequently, this usage of power generation effectively
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transitions carbon emissions from

tailpipes to smokestacks, as

energy production is not

environmentally friendly with

current methods. In order for

electric vehicles to truly be more

clean than gas powered vehicles

would require new energy

production methods. A visual

cartoon representing the irony of

purchasing an electric vehicle for environmental benefits exemplifies the underlying

consequences of using recharging stations under current energy production methods. (Visual

Rhetoric) In addition, improvements to gasoline cars’ efficiency as a result of EPA

standardization represents the improvements to emissions from these gasoline vehicle types,

countering the advertised push for electric cars due to the appearing clean lifestyle as this new

plan looks to “reduce nitrogen oxide emissions,” thus making gasoline cars more appealing to

customers. On the contrary, electric vehicles cost less to operate averaging at “$0.05 per mile”

compared to gas cars average of “$0.13 per mile” (EnergySage) to run, showing a significant

running cost to run. This cheaper price can be credited to the cheap and unsafe manufacturing

methods of energy using fossil fuel power plants that release high amounts of greenhouse gasses

(Concession).

In addition to their environmental impacts, the methods of manufacturing raise the

question of additional environmental and social impacts of electric vehicles. Cobalt and lithium
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are essential for battery production, but the methods for getting these materials significantly put

both miners and the surrounding environment at risk. Mining operations in the Democratic

Republic of the Congo have caused increased “pollution and birth defects” as uncovered by

Richard Swift, a reporter for the New Internationalist (Swift 1). These materials are not only

dangerous for the miners recovering the resources, but also for the environment, as they are

considered hazardous materials that can damage ecosystems. As seen in the DRC, these mining

operations take up large areas of land that require excavation, further taking away from batteries’

environmental benefits. These challenges underscore the need for sustainable practices in the

electric vehicle supply chain to mitigate these impacts.

Over recent years, electric vehicles have become increasingly popular. The increase in

electric vehicle sales requires additional power outputs by power grids across the nation in order

to provide sufficient charging power. This growth of the electric car can be seen over the past

few years where “1.4% [of all vehicles] in 2019” were electric cars compared to “7.2%” in 2024

(Shahan), and this number is only expected to rise in the coming years as newer technology

allows electric cars to excel in multiple areas such as performance, reliability, and overall cost.

Having more electric vehicles integrated throughout society increases the electricity that needs to

be produced substantially. This strain on the power grid requires significant and costly upgrades

in order to keep up with the ever increasing power demand that electric vehicles require.

Alternative vehicle supporters believe that with adequate preparation, this surge in power

demand can be met as more electric vehicles reach the market. EV Connect, an electric and

software company, proclaims that “[increased power output] will take planning [...] to handle it

well” (EV Connect), showing the possibility of a full electric society. While this all sounds good

in theory, the current initiative for increasing electricity production capacity is not keeping up
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with the surging numbers of electric vehicles. California has required that this increase must be

met by 2030 with installing increased numbers of solar and wind units, predicted to take up

“60% of California’s power supply” (Lopez). Consequently, many have deemed this necessary

increase in power output as way too expensive and contradicting the intended purpose of

electricity being a cheap and eco-friendly alternative.

Electric vehicles do provide many positive benefits for consumers over the internal

combustion engine. These benefits include zero tailpipe emissions, reduced air pollution, a

quieter overall driving experience, and recently, newer electric vehicles have even outperformed

even the best engine driven vehicles. The future for electric cars looks promising despite several

major downsides. For example, gasoline cars have a well-established infrastructure with gas

stations providing multiple types of fuel that are available anywhere you go. Establishing a

network of charging stations for electric cars is possible, but also cost prohibitive. In addition,

gasoline cars have longer driving ranges and shorter refueling times making them more

appealing for long drives and road trips. Furthermore, current energy production methods such as

coal driven power plants and the production of batteries raises environmental concerns,

undermining the main factor for many eco-friendly consumers. Many of these issues can be

resolved in the coming years as electric cars become more and more efficient, and alternative

energy production shifts to solar and wind power. But despite this future outlook, gasoline cars

still have their advantages that make them a better overall choice for consumers that prioritize

factors such as longer driving ranges, lower initial vehicle cost, and availability of refueling.

Conclusion

While electric vehicles have received significant attention for their potential

environmental benefits over recent years, traditional internal combustion engines still offer
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several advantages that make them the obvious choice for many consumers. The well-established

practices of gasoline cars, such as a large network of gas stations compared to a small number of

charging stations, make them easier for consumers to operate. This infrastructure allows a greater

flexibility when owning a gasoline car, as longer travel distances can be achieved and refueling

can be done faster. Additionally, the current methods for energy production such as coal and

natural gas power plants release greenhouse gasses when producing the electricity for recharging

electric vehicles, which undermines the zero tailpipe emissions that attracts many consumers of

electric cars. Furthermore, the increasing number of electric vehicles within the United States

cannot be supported by the current power grid without noticeable and expensive upgrades.

Gasoline cars have also increased in efficiency both reducing their environmental impact, but

also allowing them to consume less gas per mile. For many consumers, an electric vehicle

remains a practical mode of transportation, but looking at overall environmental and

infrastructural impacts is important for the future development of this vehicle type. In light of

these factors, it is evident that internal combustion engine vehicles continue to offer unmatched

convenience and practicality for the user. Gasoline cars maintain a clear edge in convenience.

Gasoline cars can be refueled with a large network of gas stations. Gasoline cars continue to

improve in efficiency limiting their environmental impact and fuel consumption. Gasoline cars

remain the practical choice for many consumers (Anaphora). While electric vehicles hold

promise for the future, it is crucial to acknowledge and appreciate the enduring advantages of

gasoline powered cars. As we transition into more sustainable transportation options, it's

important to remember the practicality, convenience, and efficiency that gasoline cars offer.

Consumers need to consider the benefits of gasoline cars when comparing them to their electric

counterparts. It’s essential to continue supporting the development and innovation of gasoline
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cars, ensuring they remain a reliable choice for consumers as we drive into a future where

gasoline cars continue to play a significant role in meeting our transportation needs.
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