ALT-1 Are Electric Vehicles the Answer to High Gas Prices – No

With soaring fuel prices there is a need for alternatives, one popular one is electric vehicles. The trouble at the moment is they aren't reliable enough, powerful enough and are on balance bad for the environment. Until they are on a par with present day cars they will only be of interest of a select few who think they are helping the environment. There are also a number of bio-fuels and other alternatives to regular fuel but these have equal problems to solutions. You could also consider if the fuel companies wouldn't  want the alternatives to work and therefore cut the profits they make. This is a big conspiracy theory but may possibly have some basis.

Power

These electric cars are approaching the capabilities of regular cars but the acceleration isn't there and neither  are the top speeds. Most people if they had the choice of two cars with identical power and performance may try more electric vehicles but until then diesel will win . There is the chance that in a few years the electric cars will be a viable alternative in terms of power but until then there is work to do.

Pollution

Of course the pollution from the car is minimal compared with diesel cars but there is drawbacks still. For one batteries are extremely toxic and have to be built in large polluting factories. When they are built they contain toxic ingredients, they have components from numerous countries that need to be flown in and the components need to carefully disposed of after use. With the factory pollution and the creation of the chemicals the carbon footprint and pollution outweighs diesel. At present diesel is one of the worlds worst pollutants but it doesn't need to be disposed of after use, though what it does leave after use isn't healthy either.

Size and Weight

At present the batteries are cumbersome and very heavy. This lessens the acceleration of the car and lessens the usable interior of the car. Again some work and development will help with this but again at present the inclination is not there to use these vehicles as like for like with any other car. As with the bio fuels these vehicles have potential to become a mainstay on our roads, particularly when fuel supplies run out. When there is no choice then electric may be the one that reigns supreme but until then its diesel all the way.

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