Question

Consider the following case study and answer the questions below.

An electric car is an automobile that uses electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device that is propelled by one or more electric motors. Electric cars can significantly reduce air pollution, as they do not emit tailpipe pollutants and reduce in greenhouse gas and other emissions and reduce dependence on foreign oil. But widespread adoption of electric cars causes higher cost, lack of recharging infrastructure outside of home charging and range anxiety which is the driver's fear that the electric energy stored in the batteries will run out before the driver reaches their destination, due to the limited range of the existing electric cars. The United States government also views energy efficient vehicles as environmentally friendly alternatives to vehicles that run purely on gasoline and provided tax credits to increase the popularity.

Identify and analyze the possible impacts (political, environmental, health, safety, cultural, economic) of the electric car technology on society (including individual, local, regional, or global context)? (Write 1 paragraph)

Engineers and technologists have a responsibility to add to the public discourse on technology issues (section 4.8 of your text). Choose the perspective of either an engineer working for a firm developing an electric car or an engineer working for an oil company. Address one of the ethical issues which arise from this impact using ideas presented throughout the text (environmentalism, cost-benefit analysis, social values, etc.). (Write 1 paragraph)

Answer 1

In this question it has been asked about the possible impacts of electric car technology on society and the ethical issues that arise from developing electric car technology on environmentalism, cost benefit analysis and social values. Let us discuss our answer in brief –

Electric cars are the next revolutionary invention that can hugely impact the markets globally. Not only they are environmental friendly but also fuel efficient as compared to the cars of oil segments. They have many benefits over the society if used on a massive scale. The sales of electric vehicles are increasing by fold and these numbers are estimated to increase even further. The use of electric cars can result in reduced CO₂ and other pollutants emission. This itself has positive impact on the society as millions have died and many more have diseased due to high pollutant concentration in atmosphere. Diseases like asthma and other respiratory disease, and heart attacks are increased due to bad air quality index (AQI). The electric cars would help us to breathe fresh air free of pollutant and Particulate Matter. Although there will be increased Sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions due to increased electricity generation therefore alternative renewable energy sources need to be considered in near future.

As an individual the electric cars would benefit so much so that he does not have to pay for the oil and gas any more. He just needs to plug in the charger every time he uses his car. Now the electric vehicles are efficient enough to travel more on less power. Studies have proved that electric engines are more efficient than IC engines by more than 75% which can produce high torque and speed. As an individual this is a win-win situation if he buys an electric car. Locally also the electric vehicle will be a boon for the clean air to breathe, free from IC engine gas pollutants. Globally the oil producing countries which are more confined to Middle East could be impacted highly. As increasing electric car use and also for the public transport could lower their exports and impact their economy. But overall this would be far better as global green house gas emissions have direct correlation with the global warming which can be controlled and the coastal countries could be saved from drowning.

The Ethical issues arising by developing electrical car technology –

As an engineer we know that the rechargeable batteries are mostly run by Lithium-ion source, which require nickel and cobalt. Amnesty International research showed that cobalt mining will increase which is a hazardous condition for the workers mining there. Children and adults have been thrown to mine the cobalt as a low cost labor which negatively impacts their health. Moreover mines collapse frequently which leads to death of workers associated with the mines. Other battery technologies are still under research and development stage for electric cars. Moreover the charging practices of these batteries need to improve so that fast charging could be employed within few minutes. But these fast charging can only be provided by charging stations much like taking the vehicle to a car or gas station. This issue needs to be addressed as the places where charging stations are not build will suffer from long hours of charging for electric cars. Usually they would take upto 17 hours to charge on 240 volt power source. Therefore the electric car manufacturers need to improve their practices and ensure that correct steps are being taken to provide clean and fair energy.