Innovations and Challenges in the Road Ahead for Electric Cars

Hybrid vehicles have been around for over 100 years. The first hybrid vehicle was developed in 1898, and after being presented at the 1900 world’s fair, broke multiple Austrian speed records. As technology has advanced, so have the designs of consumer and industrial vehicles, and today’s innovations have shifted toward electric cars. These vehicles are only one of the environmentally-conscious transportation options available becoming increasingly prevalent on the road.

Already, there are over a million electric vehicles owned by consumers, as buyers have become increasingly aware of the impact that vehicle and manufacturing emissions have on the environment. With a focus on pollution reduction, efficiency, and increased affordability, the continuing innovation of electric vehicles is a continuously developing industry.

 

While the advancement of electric vehicles has a promising future, there are many concerns and potential roadblocks that come with it. The impact of electric vehicle production can have far-reaching effects that go beyond environmental and emissions considerations. Employment, manufacturing, and continuously changing technology are just a few of the concerns being raised as we move forward.

Environmental and Economic Impact

The main selling point of electric cars is the reduced environmental impact of its alternative fuel. The use of electricity allows owners to invest in alternative energy sources such as wind or solar sources and use that to power their vehicles. It also runs more efficiently than gasoline-fueled vehicles. Although early electric and hybrid vehicles averaged only 100 miles on a charge, current designs closely match gasoline-fueled vehicles in miles per tank.

Ultimately, a major concern is whether or not electric vehicles are worth the cost relative to the environmental impact. Research suggests that when taking into account the overall effects of pollution, electrical vehicles are ultimately worth the cost. This research also takes into account the impact of pollution on health, and the number of deaths incurred by extended exposure to toxic environments, including air and water pollution.

Even so, as more people invest in electric vehicles, the effects of their manufacturing have become a topic of concern. With manufacturing being a major contributor to environmental pollution, the prospect of streamlining and improving the production process of consumer vehicles is an exciting one. But as we move forward with this, what will the impact be on those employed in the industry?

Jobs and Employment

As electric car designs continue to be scrutinized and revised, job opportunities will be created in a new and continually changing industry. The development of electric cars presents exciting opportunities for positions in the research, design, and testing of these new vehicles. There will however be a notable impact on the traditional manufacturing economy if we push towards electricity as a major form of fuel.

From vehicle manufacturing careers to fossil fuel production and refinement, the reduction in industrial jobs will be far-reaching. However, as the applications of electric vehicles expand, it is creating new jobs in manufacturing, just in slightly different areas. It is the expansion of vehicles beyond the consumer level that will drive these changes and create more available jobs.

As the shift towards environmentally friendly fuel options continues, the applications of electric vehicles are becoming better known. As considerations turn to mass transportation and long-distance travel, the barrier most often discussed is the initial investment. However, if we can begin to make the investments in electric technology, we can create long term effects. As technology continues to change, grow, and become more fiscally accessible, this positive impact can spread, but there are safety concerns as well.

Long-Term Safety

One of the fascinating things about technology development is the speed at which we now see the impact of these advancements. From cell phone and computer technology to the tools used to make electric vehicles as efficient as they are, technology trends are influencing every part of our lives. While these advancements provide exciting opportunities for the future, what effect does this rate of change have on the safety of vehicles, both electric and otherwise?

We are seeing increasingly advanced integration of technology into vehicles as a standard. With proximity sensors and automatic braking systems already becoming more prevalent in consumer vehicles, what effect will this rate of innovation have on the safety of entirely electrical vehicles? Though this is an understandable concern, the integration of features is increasing the safety of these vehicles in emergencies. Automated emergency calls make it easier for emergency responders to react and other features help anticipate potentially dangerous situations.

The emergency protocols built into modern electric cars have found a baseline that makes their response to potentially hazardous situations faster and safer than other vehicles. This includes automated notification of authorities and first responders if an accident occurs, traffic estimates, and recommendations for drivers to keep them safe in the moment. Like any other computer, your car may need to be maintained through updates, but with these core safety features in place, electric vehicles have been rated by insurance companies high in vehicle safety.

The advancement of electric vehicles has exciting implications for the future. With zero carbon emissions, electric vehicles represent a potentially massive impact in reducing the harmful effects of pollution on the environment. However, there are concerns about safety considerations and the potential impact of their production on jobs and employment. Changes are expected to extend beyond the environmental considerations. While they will create a shift in employment, their production, research, and design will also create new job opportunities. While the production of electric vehicles will necessitate a change in many industries, the implications for environmental impact may mean that our future, at the end of the day, is electric.