Are Electric Cars a Good Solution to U.S. Oil Consumption?

Introduction

Electric cars represent a contemporary technology that the auto industry has developed in order to mitigate rising carbon emissions and pollution. Researchers and practitioners alike estimate that electric cars will play an important role in restricting U.S. reliance on imported oil. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars can significantly reduce vehicles' dependence on oil. Because oil production has grown riskier in recent years — particularly following incidents involving deepwater drilling — automakers have begun investing heavily in electric vehicle technology.

With the current emphasis on reducing U.S. oil dependence and lowering vehicle-generated emissions, the role of electric cars and other alternative fuels has gained considerable importance. Both from an ecological and an efficiency-related perspective, the use of electric cars is an appropriate solution to reduce oil consumption in the United States. Battery electric vehicles and thermal hybrid electric vehicles are the two contemporary technologies that automakers are beginning to bring to market. Several limitations to electric cars must be addressed before they can produce a significant reduction in oil consumption, and these are examined alongside the supporting evidence below. The perspective of Bill McKibben is also presented to highlight the importance of reducing U.S. dependence on oil.

Electric Cars and U.S. Oil Dependence

Global energy consumption over the next fifteen to twenty years is projected to increase dramatically — by an estimated 54% above current levels (Phyllis Cuttino). Vehicles represent the single largest source contributing to that increase. The United States has faced considerable risks in exploring new deepwater wells, and the U.S. economy bears approximately $1 billion per day in costs for imported oil (Phyllis Cuttino).

Fuel costs for individual drivers and private businesses have increased substantially in recent years, driven by the surge in oil prices. In 2011, the transportation sector accounted for more than 70% of total U.S. oil consumption, and the United States spent more than $300 billion on oil imports that year (Parks, Denholm, and Markel, p. 1). These figures make it compelling to consider electric vehicles as a genuine alternative to conventionally fueled cars. While complete elimination of oil dependence in the vehicle fleet is unlikely in the near term, a significant reduction is achievable if the technology is promoted widely across the country by all major automakers.

Plug-in cars that carry an additional electricity-powered battery are growing in sales. These vehicles allow drivers to travel on electric power alone for forty to fifty miles within cities, while still carrying a gasoline tank as a backup for longer trips (McKibben, 68). Michael Levi, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, has also reported that changing the fuel mix of the transportation sector can substantially reduce dependence on imported oil. The use of hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars was identified as an appropriate first step in altering that fuel mix (Levi, Perl, Weiss, and Johnson). Plans in Canada to expand electric rail service reflect a similar logic. Realizing these goals, however, depends heavily on the capacity of U.S. and Canadian governments to introduce the necessary infrastructure changes and to provide incentives to automakers investing in the electric and hybrid vehicle segment.

The data also support the new technology. The International Energy Agency (IEA) outlined a significant projected cut in U.S. oil consumption between 2007 and 2030, estimating a 29% reduction achievable through several changes — among the most consequential of which was the planned introduction of hybrid and electric cars. As McKibben noted, "Driven by ever-more-dire scientific reports, Congress has, for the first time, begun debating ambitious targets for carbon reduction" (McKibben). The role of automobiles in carbon emissions is substantial, and the economic costs of widespread oil use in personal transportation remain significant despite incremental improvements in fuel efficiency.

McKibben and the Case for Electric Vehicles

Bill McKibben has long favored the adoption of electric cars, and the mounting consequences of global warming have deepened support from many quarters. McKibben observed that drivers who began using hybrid vehicles quickly became focused on maximizing their mileage, noting that "almost from the day the first hybrids came off the boat from Japan, drivers have found themselves pushing to get the maximum mileage" (McKibben).

Researchers also emphasize that electric cars reduce the net level of emissions generated by the vehicle fleet (Shinnar, 455). There are many benefits associated with storing energy in batteries rather than burning liquid fuel. The broader vision of building a hydrogen transport economy has likewise encouraged automakers to expand production of electric and hybrid vehicles (Mierlo and Maggetto, 166). Together, these factors reinforce the case for accelerating the transition away from fossil-fuel-powered transportation.

Conclusion

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