Question

Question 4. (30 marks) There are an increasing number of hybrid cars on our roads – cars which are powered by both a conventional internal combustion engine and also by an electric motor. The battery which provides power for the electric motor is charged by the internal combustion engine, but recent versions of these cars are able to have the battery recharged by plugging into a power point. These hybrid cars are promoted by their manufacturers as being more environmentally responsible.

4.1 (20 marks) List and discuss all the items which you would consider if you were to carry out a life cycle analysis comparing the environmental impact of a hybrid powered vehicle with a “conventional” internal combustion engine powered vehicle.

4.2 (10 marks) Using examples from the list and descriptions you wrote for Question 4.1, state whether or not you agree with the manufacturer’s claims that these vehicles are more environmentally responsible than other vehicles.

Answer 1

Answer: 4.1

Following are the items which we would consider if we were to carry out a life cycle analysis comparing the environmental impact of a hybrid powered vehicle with a “conventional” internal combustion engine powered vehicle as below

• Safety: We would like to analyze the safety of the battery power car or vehicle vs. the conventional vehicles, as we all are comfortable in conventional vehicles and achieve a good level of safety in the cars. We would like to review the safety as it is top most priority for the driving.
• Reliability: Reliability is another key factor that we would like to analyze as it impacts the driving and we want to have reliable car vehicle so that we can compare the reliability with conventional vehicles. If we require dealing with sudden issues and problems with the battery powered vehicle, then it will be difficult to sustain and people will not prefer to use it.
• Car Quality: Car quality will be the key parameter and the car should deliver the basic minimum quality in its operations so that consumers will be happy and should not get the feeling that the battery powered car is inferior to the conventional car.
• Cost to operate: The cost is another parameter that impacts the consumer and it needs to be reasonable so that consumer will be influenced to purchase the battery powered car. The cost should not be much higher and it should be comparable with the conventional cars.
• Recharging comfort vs conventional fueling comfort: This is the most significant routine usage facility that needs to be ensured effective as it will make the launch of the car suitably in the target market. Recharging should be as easy as current fueling capability. The consumer should be seen problem in getting their car recharge.
• Maintenance Management: Maintenance will be the key parameter and it need to be supported well for the consumers so that they can get the desired services for their vehicles. Competency and skill set will be the key in meeting the maintenance requirements for the upcoming cars.

Answer 4.2:

We do agree with the manufacturer’s claims that these vehicles are more environmentally responsible than other vehicles, because these vehicles will support the environment and will not have any adverse impact on the environment because these vehicles will not generate pollution that will harm the environment. Though the batteries will have environmental impacts, but the battery impacts will be much smaller than the environmental impact the conventional car have as they emit large pollutants and severely impacts the environment. The manufacturer’s claim is correct that these vehicles are more responsible for the environment.