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Creel Richardson – Electric Vehicles Are The Future

  • June 8th, 2021

The effects of the climate crisis have continuously become more serious in recent years, which has led General Motors (GM) to announce that it will be ending production of all gas-powered vehicles by 2035. The company will be offering electric vehicles (EVs) instead, with a commitment to sourcing its energy from only renewable sources. One of the arguments against EVs is that they produce more carbon emissions during production compared to traditional cars. However, these vehicles can provide a number of benefits to producers and consumers. Many Americans are understandably excited for the future of EVs, and the impact that they will have on the environment. However, it is important to consider the effects of the decisions made by GM, and what needs to be done in order to minimize the negative effects of producing more electric vehicles. Even though some are not on board with the idea of going all-electric, auto companies need to follow suit because, as General Motors knows, EVs can provide much more economic and environmental benefits than traditional cars.

GM’s comprehensive and ambitious goals will impact the automotive industry, as well as the energy sector. In addition to their goal to eliminate tail-pipe emissions from new light-duty vehicles by 2035, GM also plans to become carbon neutral by 2040. According to the company’s news release details, “To address emissions from its own operations, GM will source 100 percent renewable energy to power its U.S. sites by 2030 and global sites by 2035” (James). This is a major decision, as renewable energy sources have become necessary to combat the effects of the climate crisis. In addition to these goals, the company also needs to ensure that the price of EVs will come down in the future. Unfortunately, many Americans are unable to afford these cars due to their high price tag. The federal government has implemented tax subsidies for consumers, but companies like GM need to lower the cost if they want more Americans on board. Another drawback to EVs is the availability of charging stations, and the time it takes to charge the cars themselves. As more people purchase these vehicles, charging stations must become widely available across the country. This is why GM has announced that “the company is also working with EVgo to triple the size of the nation’s largest public fast charging network by adding more than 2,700 new fast chargers by the end of 2025, a move set to help accelerate widespread electric vehicle adoption. The new fast chargers will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy” (James). This goal is important to have in place, as the infrastructure around EVs is crucial to their adoption into American homes. GM has made a statement to the nation that it is prepared to change and improve upon itself by setting these ambitious goals for the future, leaving many to think about what kind of impact their decisions will have.

The announcement from GM has left many to consider the effects of these decisions, and how they will change our country as a whole. All of these determined goals will have several impacts across the auto industry as they are implemented. Jody Freeman teaches environmental law at Harvard Law School and also worked as a counselor for energy and climate change for the Obama White House. In her recent article, “General Motors Is Counting on Your Loving Electric Cars,” she discusses the different effects that GM’s decision will have across the nation. According to Freeman, “The pledge by the nation’s largest automaker to phase out internal combustion engines puts pressure on other auto companies, like Ford and Toyota, to make equally ambitious public commitments.” It is important to note that while these other auto companies have invested in low-emission vehicles, none have pledged to end production of gas-powered vehicles altogether. This is one of the reasons why GM’s decision took many by surprise when it was announced. The company has been known to be hesitant to change, and even backed President Trump’s decision to lower fuel efficiency standards. However, the company has made the decision to alter its course as companies like Tesla continue to see widespread growth.

GM is the nation’s largest automaker, so one of the more obvious effects of their decision is that the demand for gas powered vehicles and fossil fuels will begin to drop. Although this country still relies on gasoline and fossil fuels, the future is bright for renewable energy sources. The technology is improving as they are becoming more effective and reliable. Many Americans have seen the price of gasoline skyrocket in recent weeks. If these prices continue to increase in the long run, the demand for electric vehicles will continue to increase as well. This is another reason why it is so important for companies to lower the exorbitant price point of EVs. GM’s decisions will not only impact the auto industry but will also have an impact on the U.S. electricity sector. According to Freeman’s article, “Utilities must also help customers acclimate by making charging seamless, ensuring it is widely available and affordable for everyone” (Freeman). As stated before, the infrastructure around EVs needs to be improved, specifically the availability of charging stations. Companies like Alabama Power will need to make changes and adapt to the future of charging stations. Currently, it is not feasible for many Americans to drive EVs very far as there are not enough charging stations available. This is why it is so important for companies to invest in them like GM is doing. The electricity grids in this country need to be stronger and more reliable as more people begin to use them. The effects from these decisions will continue to become more widespread as the demand for EVs continues to rise across the country.

Electric vehicles can provide more than just environmental benefits for both producers and consumers. Chris King and Tim Echols discuss the economic benefits that EVs can provide in more detail. Chris King is the Global Policy Officer of Siemens Digital Grid, an innovation and technology leader in industrial automation and technology. Tim Echols serves as the vice chairman of the Georgia Public Service Commission, which works to ensure that consumers receive safe, and reliable electric and natural gas services. According to King and Echols, the country’s current electricity system operates at a capacity of less than 50 percent, even though the average of all U.S. industries is 80 percent. The authors explain why this system is in place: “The reason is that the system has been built to ensure utilities can serve the highest annual peak demand, which lasts only a few hours each year” (King & Echols). Due to the available capacity, more electricity can be generated using power plants and transformers that are already in operation. If this is done, it would not lead to any additional costs for the distribution network, and with more consumers charging their EVs, profits would even increase for those networks. All of this information means that with more people charging their electric vehicles at home, power bills could be lowered.

Electric vehicles would not just benefit the power grid and local economies. According to the article, “First, EV fueling costs are 50 to 75 percent lower than for ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles, contributing to a very attractive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). The driver’s lifetime savings? About $12,000” (King & Echols). Consumers need to understand these savings that come with electric vehicles when they are purchasing a new vehicle. Something that people may not realize is that EVs have many fewer moving parts than traditional cars. Due to this, EVs are much less expensive to maintain and operate for consumers across the board. All of these benefits from EVs need to be discussed by legislators and policymakers in the southeast, many of which are against the widespread use of EVs. People need to understand that the technology and infrastructure are improving, which is allowing electric vehicles to become more practical for everyone.

Despite some of the drawbacks that electric vehicles have, they provide many more benefits than traditional cars. A common argument against electric vehicles is that they release more carbon emissions than traditional cars, either during production or through the charging process. During the production process and depending on where the energy is sourced for charging stations, EVs do have some negative impacts on the environment. André Gonçalves discusses this further in the article, “Are Electric Cars Really Greener?” Gonçalves studied sustainability management at Lisbon’s School of Economics & Management. He says, “Nevertheless, at the end of the manufacturing process, electric cars are the ones generating more carbon emissions, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists” (Gonçalves). The reason for this drawback has to do with the batteries that power electric vehicles. Unfortunately, these batteries are made using elements such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt. All of these elements must be extracted through mining processes, which often cause a great deal of pollution. Mining also destroys the landscape and ecosystem of the environment. However, Gonçalves goes on to explain that “forecasts show that the electricity generation is improving and there are more renewable sources entering the grid, which would help decrease the ecological footprint of building up these batteries” (Gonçalves). This is a very hopeful note for the future of these vehicles and helps to prove that they are better for the environment than traditional cars. It is also clear that renewable energy must be invested in to ensure that the environmental impacts of EVs can be minimized. Companies need to follow GM’s example and implement these renewable energy sources into production.

Despite these drawbacks to electric vehicles, many believe that they are still better for the environment compared to traditional vehicles. Earthjustice is a nonprofit law organization that is working to preserve and protect the environment through the legal system. The company released an article discussing the many benefits that EVs provide, and why they are better for the environment than traditional cars. The article even claims that “Electric vehicles have a smaller carbon footprint than gasoline-powered cars, no matter where your electricity comes from” (Electric vehicles). The reason for this is because, once electric vehicles are produced, they do not release any carbon dioxide while being driven. This is why the argument that they are worse for the environment than traditional cars is not correct. Of course there are some problems with the production process, but it is important not to shut out this opportunity to combat climate change. With the increased use of renewable energy sources, the benefits that electric vehicles provide are only getting better. According to EarthJustice, “Electric vehicles make up for their higher manufacturing emissions within, at most, eighteen months of driving&emdash;and continue to outperform gasoline cars until the end of their lives” (“Electric vehicles”). This is very important for people to understand, even though EVs produce  more carbon emissions during production, their ability to run solely on electricity allows them to overcome this drawback. Traditional cars continuously burn fossil fuels throughout their life, never making up for the emissions that they produce. The benefits that EVs provide will have a great impact as the technology and infrastructure around them improve.

Even though electric vehicles do have some drawbacks, the economic and environmental benefits that they provide are strong incentives for auto companies to make similar changes as GM has. The ambitious goals that the company has announced have already put pressure on other auto companies to make similar changes. Their decisions will continue to have effects across the auto and energy industries in the coming years as well. The economic benefits that come with more widespread use of EVs would also help producers and consumers. Therefore, it is important for companies to understand these benefits and support the increasing demand for EVs. The infrastructure around EVs is steadily improving, and people need to see that they are becoming more viable as a replacement for traditional cars. Despite the carbon emissions that are released during the production of EVs, they are still better for the environment than traditional cars. Their ability to operate without burning fossil fuels allows them to make up for the impacts of production. Renewable energy sources are key to improving the production and infrastructure around electric vehicles. General Motors’ decision to end the production of gas-powered vehicles by 2035 is a huge step in the right direction and will create great opportunities for improvement in the U.S. as a whole.

“Electric Vehicles Are Not Just The Wave of The Future, They Are Saving Lives Today.” Earthjustice, 25 June 2020, earthjustice.org/features/electric-vehicles-explainer. Accessed 25 February 2021.

Freeman, Jody. “General Motors Is Counting on Your Loving Electric Cars.” The New York Times, 2 Feb. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/02/02/opinion/GM-electric-cars.html. Accessed 8 February 2021.

Gonçalves, André. “Are Electric Cars Really Greener?” Youmatter, 25 Sept. 2018, youmatter.world/en/are-electric-cars-eco-friendly-and-zero-emission-vehicles-26440/. Accessed 23 February 2021.

James, Jessica. “General Motors, the Largest U.S. Automaker, Plans to be Carbon Neutral by 2040.” General Motors Company, 28 Jan. 2021, investor.gm.com/news-releases/news-release-details/general-motors-largest-us-automaker-plans-be-carbon-neutral-2040. Accessed 25 February 2021.

King, Chris and Echols, Tim. “The Compelling Economic Benefits of Electric Vehicles.” Power, 14 Mar. 2020,www.powermag.com/blog/the-compelling-economic-benefits-of-electric-vehicles/. Accessed 25 February 2021.

Categories: Uncategorized

Creel Richardson – Electric Vehicles Are The Future

  • June 8th, 2021

The effects of the climate crisis have continuously become more serious in recent years, which has led General Motors (GM) to announce that it will be ending production of all gas-powered vehicles by 2035. The company will be offering electric vehicles (EVs) instead, with a commitment to sourcing its energy from only renewable sources. One of the arguments against EVs is that they produce more carbon emissions during production compared to traditional cars. However, these vehicles can provide a number of benefits to producers and consumers. Many Americans are understandably excited for the future of EVs, and the impact that they will have on the environment. However, it is important to consider the effects of the decisions made by GM, and what needs to be done in order to minimize the negative effects of producing more electric vehicles. Even though some are not on board with the idea of going all-electric, auto companies need to follow suit because, as General Motors knows, EVs can provide much more economic and environmental benefits than traditional cars.

GM’s comprehensive and ambitious goals will impact the automotive industry, as well as the energy sector. In addition to their goal to eliminate tail-pipe emissions from new light-duty vehicles by 2035, GM also plans to become carbon neutral by 2040. According to the company’s news release details, “To address emissions from its own operations, GM will source 100 percent renewable energy to power its U.S. sites by 2030 and global sites by 2035” (James). This is a major decision, as renewable energy sources have become necessary to combat the effects of the climate crisis. In addition to these goals, the company also needs to ensure that the price of EVs will come down in the future. Unfortunately, many Americans are unable to afford these cars due to their high price tag. The federal government has implemented tax subsidies for consumers, but companies like GM need to lower the cost if they want more Americans on board. Another drawback to EVs is the availability of charging stations, and the time it takes to charge the cars themselves. As more people purchase these vehicles, charging stations must become widely available across the country. This is why GM has announced that “the company is also working with EVgo to triple the size of the nation’s largest public fast charging network by adding more than 2,700 new fast chargers by the end of 2025, a move set to help accelerate widespread electric vehicle adoption. The new fast chargers will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy” (James). This goal is important to have in place, as the infrastructure around EVs is crucial to their adoption into American homes. GM has made a statement to the nation that it is prepared to change and improve upon itself by setting these ambitious goals for the future, leaving many to think about what kind of impact their decisions will have.

The announcement from GM has left many to consider the effects of these decisions, and how they will change our country as a whole. All of these determined goals will have several impacts across the auto industry as they are implemented. Jody Freeman teaches environmental law at Harvard Law School and also worked as a counselor for energy and climate change for the Obama White House. In her recent article, “General Motors Is Counting on Your Loving Electric Cars,” she discusses the different effects that GM’s decision will have across the nation. According to Freeman, “The pledge by the nation’s largest automaker to phase out internal combustion engines puts pressure on other auto companies, like Ford and Toyota, to make equally ambitious public commitments.” It is important to note that while these other auto companies have invested in low-emission vehicles, none have pledged to end production of gas-powered vehicles altogether. This is one of the reasons why GM’s decision took many by surprise when it was announced. The company has been known to be hesitant to change, and even backed President Trump’s decision to lower fuel efficiency standards. However, the company has made the decision to alter its course as companies like Tesla continue to see widespread growth.

GM is the nation’s largest automaker, so one of the more obvious effects of their decision is that the demand for gas powered vehicles and fossil fuels will begin to drop. Although this country still relies on gasoline and fossil fuels, the future is bright for renewable energy sources. The technology is improving as they are becoming more effective and reliable. Many Americans have seen the price of gasoline skyrocket in recent weeks. If these prices continue to increase in the long run, the demand for electric vehicles will continue to increase as well. This is another reason why it is so important for companies to lower the exorbitant price point of EVs. GM’s decisions will not only impact the auto industry but will also have an impact on the U.S. electricity sector. According to Freeman’s article, “Utilities must also help customers acclimate by making charging seamless, ensuring it is widely available and affordable for everyone” (Freeman). As stated before, the infrastructure around EVs needs to be improved, specifically the availability of charging stations. Companies like Alabama Power will need to make changes and adapt to the future of charging stations. Currently, it is not feasible for many Americans to drive EVs very far as there are not enough charging stations available. This is why it is so important for companies to invest in them like GM is doing. The electricity grids in this country need to be stronger and more reliable as more people begin to use them. The effects from these decisions will continue to become more widespread as the demand for EVs continues to rise across the country.

Electric vehicles can provide more than just environmental benefits for both producers and consumers. Chris King and Tim Echols discuss the economic benefits that EVs can provide in more detail. Chris King is the Global Policy Officer of Siemens Digital Grid, an innovation and technology leader in industrial automation and technology. Tim Echols serves as the vice chairman of the Georgia Public Service Commission, which works to ensure that consumers receive safe, and reliable electric and natural gas services. According to King and Echols, the country’s current electricity system operates at a capacity of less than 50 percent, even though the average of all U.S. industries is 80 percent. The authors explain why this system is in place: “The reason is that the system has been built to ensure utilities can serve the highest annual peak demand, which lasts only a few hours each year” (King & Echols). Due to the available capacity, more electricity can be generated using power plants and transformers that are already in operation. If this is done, it would not lead to any additional costs for the distribution network, and with more consumers charging their EVs, profits would even increase for those networks. All of this information means that with more people charging their electric vehicles at home, power bills could be lowered.

Electric vehicles would not just benefit the power grid and local economies. According to the article, “First, EV fueling costs are 50 to 75 percent lower than for ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles, contributing to a very attractive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). The driver’s lifetime savings? About $12,000” (King & Echols). Consumers need to understand these savings that come with electric vehicles when they are purchasing a new vehicle. Something that people may not realize is that EVs have many fewer moving parts than traditional cars. Due to this, EVs are much less expensive to maintain and operate for consumers across the board. All of these benefits from EVs need to be discussed by legislators and policymakers in the southeast, many of which are against the widespread use of EVs. People need to understand that the technology and infrastructure are improving, which is allowing electric vehicles to become more practical for everyone.

Despite some of the drawbacks that electric vehicles have, they provide many more benefits than traditional cars. A common argument against electric vehicles is that they release more carbon emissions than traditional cars, either during production or through the charging process. During the production process and depending on where the energy is sourced for charging stations, EVs do have some negative impacts on the environment. André Gonçalves discusses this further in the article, “Are Electric Cars Really Greener?” Gonçalves studied sustainability management at Lisbon’s School of Economics & Management. He says, “Nevertheless, at the end of the manufacturing process, electric cars are the ones generating more carbon emissions, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists” (Gonçalves). The reason for this drawback has to do with the batteries that power electric vehicles. Unfortunately, these batteries are made using elements such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt. All of these elements must be extracted through mining processes, which often cause a great deal of pollution. Mining also destroys the landscape and ecosystem of the environment. However, Gonçalves goes on to explain that “forecasts show that the electricity generation is improving and there are more renewable sources entering the grid, which would help decrease the ecological footprint of building up these batteries” (Gonçalves). This is a very hopeful note for the future of these vehicles and helps to prove that they are better for the environment than traditional cars. It is also clear that renewable energy must be invested in to ensure that the environmental impacts of EVs can be minimized. Companies need to follow GM’s example and implement these renewable energy sources into production.

Despite these drawbacks to electric vehicles, many believe that they are still better for the environment compared to traditional vehicles. Earthjustice is a nonprofit law organization that is working to preserve and protect the environment through the legal system. The company released an article discussing the many benefits that EVs provide, and why they are better for the environment than traditional cars. The article even claims that “Electric vehicles have a smaller carbon footprint than gasoline-powered cars, no matter where your electricity comes from” (Electric vehicles). The reason for this is because, once electric vehicles are produced, they do not release any carbon dioxide while being driven. This is why the argument that they are worse for the environment than traditional cars is not correct. Of course there are some problems with the production process, but it is important not to shut out this opportunity to combat climate change. With the increased use of renewable energy sources, the benefits that electric vehicles provide are only getting better. According to EarthJustice, “Electric vehicles make up for their higher manufacturing emissions within, at most, eighteen months of driving&emdash;and continue to outperform gasoline cars until the end of their lives” (“Electric vehicles”). This is very important for people to understand, even though EVs produce  more carbon emissions during production, their ability to run solely on electricity allows them to overcome this drawback. Traditional cars continuously burn fossil fuels throughout their life, never making up for the emissions that they produce. The benefits that EVs provide will have a great impact as the technology and infrastructure around them improve.

Even though electric vehicles do have some drawbacks, the economic and environmental benefits that they provide are strong incentives for auto companies to make similar changes as GM has. The ambitious goals that the company has announced have already put pressure on other auto companies to make similar changes. Their decisions will continue to have effects across the auto and energy industries in the coming years as well. The economic benefits that come with more widespread use of EVs would also help producers and consumers. Therefore, it is important for companies to understand these benefits and support the increasing demand for EVs. The infrastructure around EVs is steadily improving, and people need to see that they are becoming more viable as a replacement for traditional cars. Despite the carbon emissions that are released during the production of EVs, they are still better for the environment than traditional cars. Their ability to operate without burning fossil fuels allows them to make up for the impacts of production. Renewable energy sources are key to improving the production and infrastructure around electric vehicles. General Motors’ decision to end the production of gas-powered vehicles by 2035 is a huge step in the right direction and will create great opportunities for improvement in the U.S. as a whole.

“Electric Vehicles Are Not Just The Wave of The Future, They Are Saving Lives Today.” Earthjustice, 25 June 2020, earthjustice.org/features/electric-vehicles-explainer. Accessed 25 February 2021.

Freeman, Jody. “General Motors Is Counting on Your Loving Electric Cars.” The New York Times, 2 Feb. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/02/02/opinion/GM-electric-cars.html. Accessed 8 February 2021.

Gonçalves, André. “Are Electric Cars Really Greener?” Youmatter, 25 Sept. 2018, youmatter.world/en/are-electric-cars-eco-friendly-and-zero-emission-vehicles-26440/. Accessed 23 February 2021.

James, Jessica. “General Motors, the Largest U.S. Automaker, Plans to be Carbon Neutral by 2040.” General Motors Company, 28 Jan. 2021, investor.gm.com/news-releases/news-release-details/general-motors-largest-us-automaker-plans-be-carbon-neutral-2040. Accessed 25 February 2021.

King, Chris and Echols, Tim. “The Compelling Economic Benefits of Electric Vehicles.” Power, 14 Mar. 2020,www.powermag.com/blog/the-compelling-economic-benefits-of-electric-vehicles/. Accessed 25 February 2021.