Looking Ahead - Will Electric Cars Be the Transportation of the Future?
When you look at your dashboard while driving around town, you see that your gas tank is nearly empty. You go off to fill up at the closest station, but as you get closer, you notice something is odd. What was once a gas station has been converted into an electric vehicle charging station. Does the future look like this?
To better serve Maryland's 20,000 electric vehicle (EV) drivers, a gas station in the state just last month shut down its fossil fuel-powered operations and reopened as a 100% electric charging station. As more EVs are put on the road, this might be the first of many. Around the world, attempts to significantly cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are increasing.
Electric Vehicles and the Shift to a Low-Carbon Future
About 30% of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States come from transportation, making it one of the main sources of emissions. Cars are directly responsible for 82% of emissions in the transportation sector. According to a recent piece in the New York Times, since 1990, transportation-related emissions have risen in practically every U.S. major area. There are chances to significantly lower emissions from the sector as EV use increases. The good news? That is precisely what is taking place.
According to Bloomberg's Electric Vehicle Outlook 2019, more than 2 million EVs were sold in the United States in 2018, and by 2025, sales are expected to reach 10 million. While IT giants have mostly controlled the electric vehicle market,
The ongoing desire for SUVs is one of the main barriers to the transition to low-emissions transportation, even in the face of increased support for EVs. SUVs make up almost 40% of all vehicles sold globally each year, and their low fuel economy is bad for the environment. It should come as no surprise that as SUVs become more popular, emissions also grow, adding to the effects of climate change. SUVs are a no-brainer if you are seeking for a roomy ride because they are often larger, heavier, and more accommodating than most electric vehicles. However, firms like Rivian and Tesla have focused on creating electric vehicles and SUVs that serve a broader spectrum of drivers in order to close this gap and stay competitive. By expanding the choices available within the
EVs are propelling our systems toward a cleaner, greener, low-carbon future that benefits people and the environment as their adoption grows. However, it is more difficult to gradually transition to a future with lower carbon emissions. Thanks to Tesla's technological advancement, automobiles may now operate on autopilot and even use the smart summon feature to drive to you. Tesla's inventions not only represent significant technological advancements, but they also provide people with new opportunities. These days, automakers are claiming that Tesla is the best, electric or not, and they are using its technology and achievements as fuel for their own fire. The variety of EVs that are now on the market is expected to increase from the current status of
EVs are now a cost-effective choice for prospective auto purchasers.
In addition to having more options than ever before, EVs are also becoming more affordable! The average price of EVs has decreased by over 13% in the last year, and several automakers are concentrating on creating electric vehicles with reasonable prices. Volkswagen recently unveiled plans for the ID.3 electric vehicle, which is intended to be a more cost-effective way to get people to switch to electric vehicles. Customers who are interested in buying an EV but have been put off by the cost can now buy one thanks to this. The associated expenses will probably go down as EV production and use gain traction and technology advances in terms of efficiency and innovation. In addition to the declining expenses
Will carbon price affect the uptake of EVs?
Carbon pricing has been positioned as "the single most powerful" instrument to slow down climate change as emissions rise and the climate problem deepens. In addition to helping with the general transition away from fossil fuels, carbon pricing can also be used to directly promote electric vehicles through rebate programs. EV buyer incentives were funded by the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cap-and-trade program that reduces emissions from the electric sector in nine U.S. states, including Massachusetts. The money raised by carbon pricing can also be used to upgrade EV infrastructure, such as adding more charging stations and EV-only parking spaces. Growing market incentives in support of green
Prospects and Possibilities
Making the switch to electricity is getting easier than before. Your automobile is charging itself in the garage while your buddies deal with the inconvenience of a gas station. The most convenient option to recharge is at-home EV charging, which is already available in most American homes. You may spend more time on the road because they require less maintenance and servicing than vehicles that run on fossil fuels because they are constructed with fewer moving components.
EVs are a crucial component of a low-carbon future, despite the fact that they are not a panacea. EVs have shown to be a useful tool for people, companies, and even governments want to participate in the effort to lower emissions.
Although EV technology is improving daily, certain obstacles still exist. The greater the number of EV users, the more our systems need to be prepared to support their needs. This entails making parking and charging stations easily accessible and taking EV charging into account when designing and planning buildings.
Even if there are still issues with EVs, some of them are being actively resolved. Companies like Tesla have made it simple to plan trips and identify the precise locations of charging stations along your route, whereas previously driving cross-country on electric power was only a pipe dream. With this kind of technology, you can travel across the nation without experiencing "range anxiety" or emissions.
EVs are becoming a more appealing alternative mode of transportation the more we simplify their infrastructure and design. It is hoped that fully electric charging stations will become the new standard as EVs continue to gain popularity.