Scientists have identified a buildup of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, as the cause of global warming. The greenhouse theory states that greenhouse gases build up in the upper atmosphere, which traps hot air rising from the earth’s surface and prevents it from escaping into space. The result is increased temperatures on the earth’s surface.
The most significant contributor to increased carbon dioxide levels is exhaust emissions from petroleum-powered cars. As a result, there has been an increased emphasis on developing electric cars to lower the number of petroleum-powered cars and reduce exhaust emissions.
Although a comparatively new entry into the automobile market, electric vehicles already represent a significant percentage of new cars produced and sold in America. To promote the use of electric vehicles, there are events such as National Drive Electric Week, where a series of events demonstrate the latest advancements in electric vehicles and increase awareness of electric vehicles and their associated benefits.
What is the National Drive Electric Week
The go green philosophy has crossed over from a fringe philosophy advocated by passionate “greenies” and is now a driving force adopted by mainstream government and society. Part of the green philosophy is to decrease our dependency on fossil fuels, leading to substantial time and money to develop alternative power sources such as electricity, solar, and wind.
National Drive Electric Week is an annual event across mainland America. The event commences on September 23 and continues till October 2, and it features multiple events held throughout America. National Drive Electric Week events occur on a state and city level. Each city hosting an event has a designated city captain in charge of planning their city’s event and a team of volunteer workers.
This year there are approximately 200 different EV events planned in the period between September 23 and October 2, and this will be the ideal opportunity for people to learn about electric-powered vehicles.
Advantages of Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are a comparatively recent arrival on the automotive scene. However, in a short period, they have come to represent a significant percentage of vehicles produced, and there are now companies that produce only electric or hybrid vehicles.
There are two types of electric cars, the fully electric car and the hybrid electric car, which combines a choice of two power sources, electricity or gasoline. The fully electric and hybrid electric vehicles have significant advantages over traditional gasoline-powered cars, and some of these advantages are listed here.
Electricity is Cheaper Than Petroleum
It is a fact that electricity is a cheaper power source than petroleum; therefore, it is cheaper to run an electric vehicle than a gasoline-powered vehicle. It is estimated that running a gasoline-powered car costs approximately 15 cents per mile. In contrast, running a fully electric car costs approximately 5 cents a mile. The price of petroleum is volatile, meaning it can go up and down, whereas electricity is comparatively consistent.
At the National Drive Electric Week car shows, owners will typically relate their experiences driving electric cars, often including a demonstration of how electric-powered vehicles are cheaper to run than gasoline-powered ones.
It’s a Matter of Convenience
One of the hassles with the traditional gasoline-powered car is that you have to keep on taking your car to the gas station to provide it with petrol. With an electric vehicle, there is no need to visit the gas station constantly, and you can power the vehicle from home in your own time.
Electric vehicles are easily charged, and you can even use a regular household socket. The ease of charging on your own time represents a much greater level of convenience than gasoline-powered cars.
Save Money
Electric cars are cheaper to run than gasoline-powered cars because electricity is a cheaper power source than petroleum, and various government incentives financially reimburse drivers of electric cars. These incentives are specifically designed to encourage people to switch from gasoline-powered cars to electric-powered cars.
When you attend an event during the National Drive Electric Week, you can talk with electric car owners, who will gladly show you how driving an electric car is significantly cheaper than driving a gasoline-powered car.
Zero Exhaust Emissions
Arguably, the most notable advantage of electric vehicles is that they do not emit exhaust gases. The lack of exhaust and smoke emissions makes electric vehicles environmentally friendly as they do not contribute to global warming/climate change.
During National Drive Electric Week, if you attend one of the events, an electric car manufacturer will likely be there demonstrating how electric cars are environmentally friendly, producing zero exhaust emissions.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Experts agree that electric cars are safer to drive than gasoline-powered cars because they have a lower center of gravity. Electric cars also undergo rigorous safety testing procedures and incorporate all the latest safety features. For example, in modern electric cars, you will find airbags in the front and back, electronic stability control, telematics, and accident avoidance systems.
Lastly, electric cars do not have any combustible parts, and as a result, they are less susceptible to an explosion in the event of an accident.
Cost-Effectiveness
In the past, one of the stumbling blocks of electric cars was the upfront cost of purchase, the cost of running, and the cost of maintenance. In recent years the government has concentrated on promoting electric vehicles. This concentration has resulted in various government subsidies and tax benefits that have made the upfront cost of purchasing an electric car comparable to the upfront costs of purchasing a gasoline-powered car.
Thanks to technological advancements, electric cars are now also cost-effective to run. For example, it is estimated that operating an electric vehicle will cost approximately $485 a year, and operating a gas-powered vehicle is approximately $1,279.
Low Maintenance Levels and Costs
Overall, there are fewer moving parts in an electric-powered engine than in an internal combustion gasoline-powered engine. As a result, this means there will be less maintenance required. The American Automobile Association estimates that an electric car will cost approximately $949 in maintenance annually, whereas a gasoline-powered vehicle will cost $1,279.
The Drive Electric Campaign
The drive electric campaign is best described as a global initiative with the end goal of eliminating gasoline-powered internal combustion engines on the road and replacing them with electric-powered cars. The campaign aims to create and accelerate a global transition to electric-powered cars by 2050.
Conclusion
In modern-day America, there is a renewed emphasis on “going green” and developing sustainable means of power. One example of this is the concentration on electric vehicles. Electric vehicles have many advantages over gasoline-powered vehicles, but the main advantage is the lack of exhaust emissions.
Some more prominent long-established car manufacturers are now producing gasoline-powered cars, hybrid cars that run on gasoline and electricity, and electric-powered cars.
National Drive Electric Week is an annual event promoting electric-powered vehicles. This celebration of electric-powered cars comprises events featuring electric cars throughout the American mainland.
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