In the present time, gasoline cars are cost-efficient vehicles. A petrol-fueled vehicle is a more practical solution to the immense transportation needs of the 21st century. The cost of conversion from a gasoline engine to an electric engine is high. This is the reason for the delay in adopting electric vehicle technology.
However, vehicles powered by petroleum products are polluting the environment. At the same time, it is very expensive to power up a vehicle using petrol fuel. The best way to solve this problem is to stop using cars with conventional engines and replace them with electric-powered cars.
Pollution is the Main Problem
According to a recent study on exhaust fumes, worldwide traffic pollutions are becoming worse (Boxwell 106). In other words, the necessary improvements needed to reduce pollution are no longer effective in curbing the number of pollutants released into the air. More importantly, tiny particles found in vehicle exhaust are dangerous when inhaled, because the soc-called particular matters penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream (Boxwell 107).
When fossil fuels are ignited to conventional power vehicles, the incomplete combustion releases a byproduct called Toxic Organic Micro Pollutants or TOMPS (Boxwell 107). Health experts are in agreement that the TOMPS is comprised of a deadly mix of chemicals that is toxic and carcinogenic (Anderson 17). The U.S. government will have to shoulder unnecessary expenses due to the health care cost of pollution. Switching to electric cars makes sense if one looks at the long-term effects of gasoline-powered cars.
Long-Term Economic Impact
The long-term economic impact of gasoline cars is seen in the high prices of crude oil and the health care costs associated with respiratory diseases. A significant amount of household income is spent on purchasing expensive petrol products. Those who are exposed to TOMPS will experience a significant reduction in productivity as they have to seek medical treatment from respiratory problems.
It is imperative to change the way people perceive the long-term impact of burning gasoline fuel to power their vehicles. However, it will only matter if electric cars are powered by renewable energy sources. When this happens, an electric vehicle will be known as a zero-emission automobile. The zero-emission label applies to the car’s propulsion system, as well as the source of the vehicle’s electric power. In other words, even the power plants supplying electricity will have zero exhaust.
Billions of dollars spent in treating lung diseases and other related ailments will be redirected to fund areas of greater need. The money saved from the reduced importation of petroleum products can be used for research initiatives that will help solve other pressing problems (Larminie 31).
Conclusion
The current lifestyle of 21st-century people demands the use of gasoline-powered cars. At this point in time, it is more practical to own a conventional type of car as opposed to a vehicle that runs on renewable sources of energy. The cost of ownership is high. However, the long-term impact of petroleum-fueled vehicles is unacceptable, especially if viewed from an economic and health care standpoint.
The U.S. government must commit to a long-term program that will encourage ordinary people, as well as industry leaders, to change their preference to electric-powered vehicles. When this happens, it will be more affordable to own electric-powered vehicles. The U.S. government must pursue this goal because the long-term effects of burning gasoline fuel in a traditional car will do more harm than good.
Works Cited
Anderson, Curtis. Electric and Hybrid Cars. NC: McFarland & Company, 2005. Print.
Boxwell, Michael. Owning an Electric Car. UK: Greensteam Publishing, 2010. Print.
Larminie, James. Electric Vehicle Technology Explained.