why the environment loves electric cars Celia Block

Effect of Gas Cars

Gas cars are one of the main reasons for global warming. Gas cars emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This wouldn't be an issue if there weren't 1.2 billion gas cars in the world today. This is creating an uneven balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and gas cars are the main reason for this. Gas vehicles are the source of 1 third of the pollution in the US. Here is a video of carbon dioxide levels increasing in the atmosphere.

In 2013, transportation contributed more than half of the carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, and almost a quarter of the hydrocarbons emitted into our air.

There are other negative factors of gas cars than the carbon dioxide release. Even before the car uses the gas it is effecting the environment. Shipping oil for the gas can cause disasters, such as oil spills. These oil spills kill and effect the ecosystem it spilled into, killing many animals. In addition extracting petroleum products is an energy extensive process, causing damage in the surrounding ecosystems.

Cause of Global Warming

All the carbon dioxide emitted into the air has had a huge effect in the Arctic. Arctic ice has gotten thinner and less extensive over the past three decades. In 2016 the Arctic ice melted more than 19,000 square miles. The melting has gotten worse over the years. For every ton of CO2 emitted, three square meters of sea ice, around 32 square feet, disappears. Dirk Notz a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology in Hamburg, Germany, puts into perspective how damaging each human is to the environment.

"Every person in Germany emits around 10 tons of CO2 per year, I think in the U.S. it’s about 16 tons. That allows me to calculate my own contribution to Arctic sea ice loss here in Germany—about 30 square meters every single year"

The Solution

We shouldn't be destroying the planet that we live on. So what is the alternative to gas cars? Many have looked toward electric cars for the answer. Why are they so beneficial on all levels? Electric cars produce fewer green house gases than gas cars. Electricity is made by coal-burning plants, or other plants that dot produce greenhouse gases. Even if the electricity was produced by a coal-burning plant, electric cars would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 22 percent when compared to gas cars. According to Sherry Boschert, author of Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars that Will Recharge America, electric cars would decrease the amount of smog-forming pollutants produced by gas cars by as much as 32 to 99 percent. Electric cars are the solution to saving the environment from more global warming damage.

Electric cars emit less Co2 than gasoline and hybrid cars.

Other Benefits

Not only are electric cars beneficial to the environment, but they are beneficial for the owner.

  1. Electric cars are way cheaper, a gas car is about $2,100 a year in fuel costs to operate your vehicle, while an electric car is only $455.
  2. Electric cars are low maintenance, there is no need to lubricate the engines, oil changes, or to send it in to the local service station.
  3. In addition, electric cars have a quiet motor, with immediate twerk: 100% torque at zero rpm. Electric motors are capable of providing smooth drive with higher acceleration over longer distances.
  4. Lastly, electric cars are insanely fast. The Tesla Model S P85D has more than enough power to reach 200 MPH, but it is electronically limited to just 155. Electric cars also are luxurious, safe, and have advanced technology.

Electric cars have been becoming increasing popular. They are said to overpower gas cars in the future. There are tons of companies racing to produce the electric cars. The environmental impact of an electric car is close to zero, reducing your carbon footprint. Electric cars are the solution to gas car pollution.

Works cited

"Cars, Trucks, and Air Pollution." Union of Concerned Scientists. Union of Concerned Scientists, 5 Dec. 2015. Web. 18 Feb. 2017.

Folger, Tim. "Arctic Ice Isn't Doomed Yet-Here's How to Save It." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 8 Feb. 2017. Web. 18 Feb. 2017.

"Graphic: The Relentless Rise of Carbon Dioxide." NASA. NASA, 08 Nov. 2016. Web. 18 Feb. 2017.

Rinkesh. "Advantages and Disadvantages of Electric Cars." Conserve Energy Future. Nissan, 24 Dec. 2016. Web. 18 Feb. 2017.

Shaw, Jerry. "Global Warming: 6 Ways Electric Cars Are Better for the Environment." Newsmax. Newsmax Media, 22 Mar. 2015. Web. 18 Feb. 2017.

Society, National Geographic. "Buying Guide - Car Environmental Impact - National Geographic's Green Guide." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2017.

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