Big Oil Companies No longer Pull the Plug on Electric Vehicles As electricity prices continue to rise nationwide, rumors of oil-drawn wars ...

 Big Oil Companies No longer Pull the Plug on Electric Vehicles

As electricity prices continue to rise nationwide, rumors of oil-drawn wars are approaching the Middle East, and the passing threat of man-made global warming is becoming a reality; it is clear that another form of energy must be used soon to replace oil addiction in the nation. While oil is used in many forms of energy, vehicles used for transportation account for a large proportion of oil consumption in the United States. Therefore, the need to convert our electric vehicles to alternative energy sources is the first step in saving our nation from using oil.

Over the past decade, there have been many attempts to produce alternative power systems that can be converted to power by our everyday drivers. These efforts include everything from solar-powered vehicles to energy-efficient vehicles; however, due to a lack of technology most of these heat-insulating vehicles are always just a dream. However, electric cars prove to be different as they were already mass-produced in 1996 by one of the leading International car manufacturers.

The first push that drove car manufacturers to create an electric car came from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). CARB has approved that 2% of vehicles sold in California in 1998 should be considered "Zero Emission Vehicles" (ZEVs). After the deadline of 1998, new requirements were made by the CARB, which stipulated that by 2003, 10% of all vehicles sold in California should be ZEVs (Motavalli, 1997).

General Motors was one of the first companies to meet the new CARB regulations for the first zero-burner car. They did this with the release of the first electric car known as the EV1 (Electric Vehicle 1). On the other hand, shortly after the start of General Motors, they abandoned the popular project to join the Federal Government by successfully suing the California State to eliminate the requirements for the release of CARB zero.

Thus, in spite of the high demand, demand and availability of a wide range of electric vehicles - they are still not produced due to the strong influence of the oil-fired industry and the intervention of the Federal Government.

The need

Global warming has been the center of environmental debate since 1896 when Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius proposed that the formation of carbon dioxide, made by burning coal, such as coal, would raise global temperatures (Clemmitt, 2006). Since the arrival of Arrhenisus' theory of global warming more than 100 years ago, scientific advances, and new technologies have reaffirmed his vision. However, the most convincing proof of global warming is the growing globalization.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, global temperatures have risen by one degree Fahrenheit (Clemmitt, 2006). While one degree may not seem worthwhile, a change to another level could create a destructive domino effect that could lead to global extinction. For instance, global warming has caused many glaciers to melt. Glacier melting is currently affecting Glacier National Park in Montana, where about 120 glaciers have melted since 1910. As glaciers, such as those in Montana’s Glacier National Park, are melting they cause global sea levels to rise in both temperatures and depths. Although the adverse effects of glaciers and rising sea levels may seem harmless, global warming from global warming is aimed at “… providing more fuel for rising storms and hurricanes, making them more potent” (Lener, 2006). The deadly effect of Hurricane Katrina is directly related to global warming. Global temperatures are rising and blamed by the 2003 European heat wave, which was responsible for killing 25,000 people (Clemmitt 2006). The list of powerful and frequent natural disasters continues to grow as the earth continues to heat up.

The director of the Climate and Global Dynamics Division at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, James Hurrell, told the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources recently, “Climate change is changing, and the rate of change as thought is higher than anything seen in nature. 10,000 years ago ”(Clemmitt, 2006) With the devastating effects of global warming already on the world stage, the solution must be urgently addressed.

Currently, the burning of a green house is the largest ever in 75,000 years. In addition, the carbon dioxide emitted by man is at its highest level in human history (Clemmitt, 2006). Therefore, it is difficult to ignore the theory of man-made global warming, where the concentration of greenhouse gases in a greenhouse is similar to the amount of carbon dioxide produced by humans. It is also difficult to ignore the team of about 25,000 scientists who came together in 2001 to form the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The team of scientists reported “That much of the warming seen in the last 50 years is due to human activities” (Cooper 2001). They further their argument by predicting that global temperatures could rise to eleven degrees Fahrenheit, under extreme conditions, if the amount of greenhouse gases continues to rise (Cooper 2001). When this happens scientists have pointed out that “such a rise could fill many low-lying islands and ultimately threaten areas such as New York City Manhattan and Miami Beach” (Griffin, 1992). Greenhouse gases in the present and future disasters are composed of water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. The high levels of carbon dioxide in the air are a direct result of burning mineral oil and a source of great danger.

As shown in Figure 1, approximately 1/3 of the increased carbon dioxide levels could be contributed to transportation (Cooper 2001).

Figure 1

Carbon dioxide is one of the fuel-burning products inside the combustion engine found in all cars and trucks today.

In other words, one of the solutions to global warming is to stop transporting it all together or to use another form of energy, which does not produce carbon dioxide, to power our cars. Obviously, the economy and the way of life of the world would end if we stopped transportation altogether. However, the obvious decision to use another form of fuel economy to save the world is being rejected by major oil companies and other industries related to keeping Americans addicted to oil so that they do not abandon their $ 300 million-a-year industry (Motavalli, 1997).

Kyoto Protocol

More recently, measures have been taken to curb carbon emissions, not only at the state level and the “Zero-Emissions Act” passed by the California Legislature, but these efforts are also reflected internationally. In 1997, more than 150 countries met in Kyoto Japan to sign the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement that requires signatory countries to reduce house temperatures by 5% below 1990 levels by 2005 through taxes and regulations. The United States, which is responsible for extracting the largest amount of greenhouse gases, has vowed to reduce its share by 7% under Clinton's control. Since the deadline for the Convention was set for February 2005, the United States, under the auspices of the Bush Administration, has changed its position when it states that there is a lack of scientific evidence to support global warming (Cooper, 2001). Bush was also quoted as saying that the [Kyoto Protocol] has committed to the U.S. economy. In addition to Bush administration support for the Kyoto Protocol, the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives also opposed the agreement (Clemmitt, 2006). One can only speculate that the rejection of the Zyoto Protocol and California release laws are just two examples of the bigger picture: the oil and automotive industries have a huge impact on the United States Government.

The Influence of the Oil Industry on Government

The WSPA (Western States Petroleum Association) is made up of a coalition of oil companies in the western United States including: Mobile, Shell, DRM and Arco. WSPA is also one of California's top five employers. As a result, many of the recruits made in California have been influenced by large oil companies. The two activists who appear in the California State legislature are known as CAUCA (Californians Against Utility Company Abuse) and CHAT (Californians Against Hidden Taxes). Both of these lobbyists are partially funded by the WSPA (Motavalli, 1997). Linda Mangels, executive director of CHAT Hospitality, Linda Mangels, even said, "I strongly believe, if not all of the money we receive from WSPA - that's no secret," (Motavalli, 1997). With such a strong impact on the state legislature the WSPA has refused to invest any money in the anti-energy campaigns such as the Zero Emissions Mandate by the CARB and CETC. (California Electric Transportation Coalition).

In addition to WSPA's major influence, the next fourth electric car has also been hit hard by AAMA (American Automobile Manufactures Association). AAMA has launched its campaign to recruit electric vehicles. In six months, the automotive industry spent about $ 500,000 campaigning against electric car orders (Motavalli, 1997). While that figure may not seem impressive, it represents about four times the annual California Electric Transportation Coalition.

A recent study called Pollution Politics, conducted between 1991-1995, revealed that about $ 34 million in public policy was used by oil companies and car manufacturers to influence public opinion on electric car regulations. Of the $ 34 million spent, $ 29 million was recruited and $ 3.97 million went to donors' contributions (Motavalli, 1997). Most of the public relations campaigns run by both car and oil companies were aimed at raising taxes that would encourage the promotion of electric cars. The public, however, has not been informed of the huge amount of money they are currently spending to continue the use of electric vehicles. As the numbers and facts are examined it becomes clear that the oil industry has used its power and influence, both financially and legally, to keep the electric car from being produced.

The need

With rising electricity prices and rumors of an oil-drawn war raging in the Middle East, it is not surprising that the general public would prefer an electric car to a gas-powered car. While mass-produced electric cars are not currently available on the market, electric and gas hybrid are available. A hybrid car adopts electrical technology and integrates it with a traditional gas-powered engine. The result is a low-emission car with miles of miles, as the car relies on electric and wind power.

In a hate-filled survey conducted by JD Power and Associates, 57% of consumers in the U.S. Those looking to buy a new car in 2009 think of a hybrid car (King Flounders, 2007). This attraction to compact cars offers a realistic view of the future of the automotive industry. Therefore, it seems logical that if a hybrid car attracts buyers because of its electrical properties, that an electric car completely will get the most demand.

This demand for an electric car was recently discovered by General Motor Company with the release of the first electric car to produce, the EV1. The first concept car of the EV1 was unveiled at the Los Angles Auto Show, in 1990. The General Motor management was amazed at the great need for this concept to become a reality. The demands came not only from the public but also from the California Legislature as they continued to enforce the Zero-Emissions law which required General Motors to produce a car. EV1 was released by General Motors to the general public in the fall of 1996. When the public learned that a fully electric car was about to enter the market, it became clear that the demand for EV1 was still strong.

Even with limited availability, there was a huge waiting list for new electric cars. Perhaps the high demand for EV1 is due to its acceleration speed from 0 to 60 mph in nine seconds, standard airbags, anti-lock brakes, boat controls, traction control, power locks, wireless and ignition, battery-free, aluminum frame, or 90-mile highway distance (Cook 1996). The car was in such great demand that Saturn dealers, where the car was offered for rent, had to be inspected by its owners and select only qualified applicants from the list (Cook 1996). Eligible ones are only allowed to rent EV1 without the option to purchase. Of course EV1 had its share of critics; however, due to a popular demand, it was clear that General Motors had taken direct action.

At the end of the rental option in 2003, many satisfied owners offered to buy EV1. Instead of taking over consumer offers General Motors restored the entire EV1, relocated it to the Arizona courtyard and crashed (More, 2006). This strange decision to crush cars suddenly raised eyebrows for many people who love EV1. The decision to crush EV1 came in the same month that the State of California raised the Zero-Emissions mandate to adopt low-carbon car-producing vehicles (Silberg, 2006).

Ways

Following the recall of EV1, General Motors said the production costs of all electric vehicles were very high and technology did not allow for their production. While this reason may have worked for more than a decade ago, it has become clear that technology is now available and expensive. The technology of building an electric car has become very expensive as Bill More, author of Mother Earth News, points out, “Anyone with the time, talent and resources can turn a typical car into electricity” (More, 2006). Of course most Americans do not have the ability to turn their daily driver into an electric car, but it does show that technology is now available.

It is common for many critics of the electric car debate that the car will need to be charged more often to allow the user to travel the required distances throughout the day. Surprisingly enough, one of the EV1's emerging technologies was the ability to recycle kinetic energy removed when it breaks. This recycled power can charge up to 30% of the battery. Of course the advanced breakthroughs do not replace the need to recharge the batteries, but there are ways to install charging batteries in our daily lives as seen in Europe.

Electric cars are one of the fastest growing modes of transportation in London; the number of electric vehicles exceeding 49 to 1,278 in two years. To facilitate this expanded mode of electricity London has provided retail space near several parking meters (Britain: City Charging, Electric Vehicles, 2007). It was only a matter of time before the whole of England was equipped to handle an electric car.

While mass-produced electric cars are not on the market right now, small electric cars are easy. Electricity

scooter [http://www.mycityscooters.com] and electric bicycle are two types of electric vehicles that are mass-produced and can be purchased at a local toy store or online. Electric scooters can be purchased in two ways; an old Vespa style, which looks like a motorcycle; or children's motorcycle style push-up scooter. Both of these types of electric scooters are very popular among college students and in-city commuters alike. The electric scooter is powered by rechargeable batteries using a standard AC adapter. Jerome Byrd, a web publisher, living in Philadelphia, drove and worked all over Philadelphia with his electric scooter and traveled about 30,000 miles (Moore, 2007).

The most popular is the electric power

bike [http://www.mycityscooters.com]. Like an electric motorcycle, an electric bike is powered by batteries and can come in two forms: a person assisted (who comes with metal) or a fully electric bicycle (does not require pedals). While there are many types of e-bikes all are measured in watts and amps. The more watts and amps you buy the more powerful the electric bike (and scooter). These bikes can reach up to 24 mph and travel up to 15 distances with a single charge. Although, electric motorcycles and electric bicycles are not the only way to a car, their mass production commercially paves the way.

The conclusion

Every year, as temperatures rise and more lives are lost as a result of natural disasters intensified by global warming, we are reminded of the need for a solution to global warming. The solution comes in the form of a clean electric car. While powerful oil companies and their agents, the US government and car manufacturers, have done everything in their power to prevent other power outages, a strong demand, an undeniable need and available technology that will not stop an electric car from shutting down and down your nearby road one day soon.