Electric vehicles represent perhaps the most environmentally benign form of transportation that can be attained in terms of air pollution. Like many alternatives to petroleum, however, the widespread use of electricity to power automobiles faces a number of impediments.
Many of these relate to the existing infrastructure of the transportation system while others relate to the price, production and availability of the vehicles themselves.
America's first four-wheel electric vehicle was built in 1892. It could run for 13 hours before it needed to be recharged and it could reach speeds of 14 miles per hour. By the late 1890s, electric vehicles dominated the automobile market with a typical range of 50 miles. By 1900, 38 percent of new American automobiles ran on batteries. In 1912, some 6,000 electric cars and trucks were manufactured each year by 20 U.S. companies.
Eventually greater range and increasingly easy access to gas stations made gas-powered vehicles more attractive to consumers than electric vehicles. However, interest in electric vehicles resurfaced in the 1960s and in 1982, Denver, Colorado put six 40-foot battery-powered shuttle buses into service.
California's Low Emission Vehicle Program requires automakers to manufacture zero emission vehicles by 1998. In that year, two percent of new light-duty vehicles must be of this type, five percent in 2001 and ten percent in 2003. Assuming a 1.5 percent per year growth rate of new vehicles, by 2003 there will be 460,000 new electric vehicles registered annually nationwide and 1.4 million on the roads in California and the northeastern states.
Most of the obstacles facing electric vehicles relate to the development of batteries capable of sustaining an electric charge for long range use. An additional challenge in the development of these batteries is to avoid significantly adding to the weight of the vehicle while maintaining sufficient power for acceleration and speed. General Motors estimated a battery life lasting 20,000 miles and costing $1,500 to replace.
Undeveloped infrastructure, frequent battery replacement as well as a low production rate contribute to the considerably high cost of electric vehicles. A study by the Electric Vehicle Development Corporation concluded that large scale manufacturing of electric vehicles would greatly reduce the price the consumer has to pay. The G-Van electric vehicle costs $57,000 when 100 are manufactured. When a cumulative volume of 50,000 vans is produced, the price is expected to decrease to $18,100, which is comparable to a gasoline-powered van.
Electric vehicles themselves produce virtually no emissions, thereby offering great promise in controlling carbon monoxide, ozone and other pollutants. Some concerns exist, however, regarding pollutants emitted in the generation of the electricity, particularly with coal. However, recharging electric vehicles using coal-fired power plants would still produce 17 to 22 percent fewer carbon dioxide emissions than gasoline powered cars. Natural gas plants would produce 48-52 percent fewer.
General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Chrysler Corporation have all been actively involved in electric vehicle development. In an effort to introduce electric vehicles to the consumer market, all three have unveiled prototype vehiclesGM's Impact two-seat electric vehicle, Ford's Ecostar delivery van and the electrified TE Van by Chrysler. The three automakers have joined together through the U.S. Council for Automotive Research to design, develop and possibly manufacture electric vehicle components. They formed the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium as well, through which the U.S. automotive utility industries support the development of advanced batteries.
Electric vehicles require the development of an entirely new infrastructure support system. Battery weight, energy density and life also heavily influence electric vehicles' performance. To store the equivalent energy of 12 gallons of gasoline would require a 7,000-pound lead battery. However, in fiscal year 1997, the Department of Energy will spend more than $3.6 million on electric vehicle battery research and development, including funding for the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium.
Electric vehicle technology is constantly improving. The Impact, the two-seat electric car from GM, can go from zero to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds and can maintain a highway speed of up to 80 miles per hour. With a driving range of 60 to 90 miles per charge, the average electric vehicle is ideal for commuters, delivery, shuttle and service applications. The goals of the industry are to increase the current two to three year life of a battery and to improve the range to more than the current 100 miles.
The technology exists for electric vehicles to
compete in speed with gasoline powered vehicles. Like many alternative fuels,
the likely short term
application may be in urban areas for fleet use to
address problems of recharging and limited range. A number of considerations
such as cost and consumer acceptance will also need to be addressed before
widespread use of these vehicles can occur. It is estimated that electric
vehicles will not be competitive with conventional vehicles for at least the
next decade. They may, however, find limited markets in the interim.