The Transition from Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles to Electric Vehicles

WILL ELECTRIC VEHICLES (NEW ENERGY VEHICLES) REPLACE CONVENTIONAL CARS?
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Will Electric Vehicles (New Energy Vehicles) Replace Conventional Cars?
Barkenbus, J. (2020). Prospects for Electric Vehicles. Sustainability, Vol. 12, No. 5813, pp. 1-13. DOI: 10.3390/su12145813
Dr. Barkenbus, a researcher at Vanderbilt University, appears to carry a lot of experience in the field of Energy and the Environment and is hence an authority in the current topic. In this article, Barkenbus focuses on the forces that appear to be pushing for the transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles. He cites government regulations as well as incentives the government provides to consumers to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles. Though he highlights several challenges to the transition, he makes a stronger case for the developments that appear to spearhead the transition, especially battery research. Barkenbus notes that the intense and revolutionary research on battery technology currently undergoing will help hasten the transition to electric vehicles.
Barkenbus’s article appears all-inclusive in that it highlights the good and the bad regarding the transition to electric vehicles. He makes a compelling argument regarding consumers’ societal and personal benefits if they consider switching to electric vehicles. He notes that with electric vehicles leading to relatively lower levels of CO2, society stands to benefit in its drive to enhance the state of the environment. Further, it is crucial to note that Barkenbus backs every point he makes with credible sources, thus enhancing the credibility of the article. However, what seems to be lacking is a detailed analysis of the research on battery technology. Barkenbus ought to have offered an in-depth look at the current state of the research and shared the implications of the state of the research to the transition.
However, regardless of the limitation, the article does appear credible and reliable enough to be complementary to my research. It can serve the purpose of countering the barriers to owning an electric vehicle outlined by the National Research Council (cited further down).
Ewing, J. (2022). Sales of Electric Vehicles Surpass Diesel in Europe, a First. The New York Times. Available at: /2022/01/17/business/electric-vehicles-europe.html. Accessed February 17, 2022.
Ewing is an experienced writer whose focus has been the auto industry, especially the transition from conventional cars to electric cars. Having reported in Europe for the past two decades, Ewing is indeed well versed with the trending topics in the region’s automotive industry.
In the article, Ewing shares the details of something that can be said to be unprecedented and shocking because of its relevance in the automotive industry. He notes that in December 2021, the sale of electric cars surpassed diesel cars in Europe. This is a great feat considering that diesel-powered cars were quite popular in Europe and accounted for a majority of cars in the region. To Ewing, the achievement beckons the dawn of a new era of electric cars.
Ewing’s article is quite informative and paints a clearer picture of what the world should expect in the coming years with electric cars dominating markets like Europe. The article is indeed relevant for research because of the future it predicts through the revelation it makes. However, Ewing is also quick to point out consumers’ consciousness when it comes to the environment and the regulations that helped shape the automotive industry in Europe. Therefore, the article happens to be holistic and could help supplement the contents of a research paper. Further, because of Ewing’s experience in the automotive industry and the use of credible sources within the article, the article’s credibility and reliability are unchallenged.
Leahy, S. (2017). Electric Cars may Rule the World’s Roads by 2040. National Geographic. Available at: /science/article/electric-cars-replace-gasoline-engines-2040. Accessed February 17, 2022.
Leahy, a veteran and renowned environmental journalist makes a bold prediction noting that electric cars will become mainstream by 2040. Compared to the National Research Council’s source cited below, Leahy appears bold enough to foresee a takeover and one that is within grasp. Leahy bases his bold statements on research done by the International Monetary Fund and Georgetown University.
This article makes a bold claim and appears to have strong backing from different sources. Leahy’s claim is based on technological transitions in the past and the speed with which what seemed conventional before was eventually bypassed by new and more efficient advancements. Specifically, the researchers cited the speed with which horses were replaced by cars in the early 20th century. Further, Leahy appears to indicate that, unlike before, there are fewer challenges to the development and adoption of electric vehicles. However, as had been indicated by the National Research Council’s source below, the challenge that is likely to face electric vehicles’ adoption is not technology but the attitudes of customers. The variety of options that current internal combustion engine vehicles offer con...