Essay PAD3800 RVC 1198 Module 13 Case 3 Response Form MS

Essay PAD3800 RVC 1198 Module 13 Case 3 Response Form MS

Essay PAD3800 RVC 1198 Module 13 Case 3 Response Form MS

PAD3800 RVC 1198 Module 13 Case 3 Response Form MS

PAD3800 RVC 1198 Module 13 Case 3 Response Form MS

NAME	Emmanuel Jeanty

Instructions: Respond to the questions below.  

Automobile use tends to grow as cities develop economically.  This means that as cities benefit from globalization (manifested through higher incomes) automobile use will expand around the world.  Automobiles require both public and private infrastructure: roads, bridges, parking, and fueling stations.  Emissions from motorized vehicles contribute to local pollution and to global warming.  As a result, accommodating more cars and dealing with the pollution they produce pose serious problems for developed and developing cities.  Responding to the desire for greater mobility, the demand for new infrastructure, and the care of the environment will require a multi-pronged approach to both infrastructure and city management.  New technologies may offer one part of the solution. Essay NRS 493 Topic 1 Reflective Journal Entry 1 KR

This case focuses on the potential of electric vehicles: a technology that would appear to address two of these big issues (mobility and the environment).  As promising as electric vehicles seem, it is clear that public infrastructure policy will also be crucial and the choices involved in providing that infrastructure are complicated by a number of factors.  Imagine that you are in charge of San Francisco’s electric vehicle program.  How would you evaluate the program’s prospects?  What things should you take into consideration?  Answer the questions below as you consider what you might recommend to political leaders in the city.

PAD3800 RVC 1198 Module 13 Case 3 Response Form MS

Question 1

What types of electric vehicles are available and what are their pros and cons? (2 points)

My Response

There are three types of electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and battery electric vehicles. The hybrid electric vehicle’s benefits are that it is charged by the engine and that it uses less fuel, which decreases pollution. Its drawbacks are that it costs more and the battery is small so the “all-electric mode” cannot be used for long (Khuang & Gomez-Ibanez, 2010, p. 4). The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle’s benefits are that it uses less gas and that has a larger battery, which uses electricity. Its drawbacks are that it cost more and still causes pollution, even if it is at a lower amount. The battery electric vehicle’s benefit is that is foes not need gas to function. Its drawback is that charging stations needs to be easily accessible like gas stations are.

Question 2

What factors will affect consumer acceptance?  Consider the following issues (4 points):1. Battery weight and cost.2. Gas prices.3. Electricity prices.4. Range anxiety.5. Availability of charging points.

My Response

Battery weight and cost will affect consumers. The more the battery weighs, the more it costs. The higher the price, the less likely people of average or lower than average means are likely to buy the vehicle. The consumers that will be able to afford the electric vehicles are more likely the upper class and possibly some middle class people. Gas prices will also affect a consumer’s acceptance. If gas prices continue to increase due to a low supply, but a high demand, more people will be willing to accept electric vehicles.Electricity prices will affect consumers. If a consumer is using a charging port at home that is using his or her electricity and increasing the electricity bill, then they are lee likely to invest in an electric vehicle. However, if he or she has a form of solar powered charging port, Tesla has such an option available, or any clean energy, then it should not affect their electricity bill; this will make people more inclined to buy electric cars because they have to pay for little to no gas. Range anxiety will affect consumers’ acceptance. If a consumer takes lengthy road trips, battery electric vehicles may not be an option unless, he or she has an alternative vehicle that uses some form of fuel at home. If the consume mainly uses the car for shorter distances, an electric car, specifically the battery electric vehicle will not be a deterrent. The availability of charging points will greatly affect a consumer’s acceptance because more charging points, available in different areas, will decrease the limited mobility of electric vehicles.

Question 3

What role might government play in the process of getting consumers to switch to electric vehicles?  What are the prospects for electric vehicles without government intervention?  What specific measures is San Francisco planning to address these problems?  Consider the experiences of other countries with electric vehicles as you compose your answers. (6 points)

My Response

Government plays a strong role in switching to electric vehicles. If there are incentives to buy electric vehicles, (e.g. not paying tolls in certain areas, tax breaks) more people will be enticed. If building codes are adjusted to include wiring to charge vehicles, it will make electric vehicles more appealing (Khuang & Gomez-Ibanez, 2010, p. 1). If taxes are placed on fuel using cars, it can balance out prices, creating more of an incentive for consumers to buy electric vehicles. The government can place policies in different areas to make electric cars more appealing to consumers. The prospects for electric vehicles without government intervention is okay (Khuang & Gomez-Ibanez, 2010, p. 6). More people seem to be interested in future purchases of hybrid electric vehicles. However, depending on the economy, gas prices, and car prices, opinions may change. Fueled powered cars are more accessible and more feasible due to battery prices, making fuel powered cars more appealing. San Francisco is providing a way for individuals to finance charging outlets, increasing the amount of charging stations available, and making charging stations more accessible (Khuang & Gomez-Ibanez, 2010, p. 1); however, this only addressing making it more appealing for people with distance issues and some cost issues. A method like the switch battery system may make the cars more affordable because the battery is a major factor in making the car more expensive (Khuang & Gomez-Ibanez, 2010, p. 7). The government working in a joint effort with companies, as seen with Better Place in Denmark and Israel, will increase the affordability and marketability of electric vehicles, especially battery electric vehicles (Khuang & Gomez-Ibanez, 2010, p. 8-10).

Question 4

What would Cullinane and Banister say about San Francisco’s plans?  (4 points)

My Response

Both would commend San Francisco’s plan. Cullinane would agree, but would focus on the public transportation system and how decrease car usage in general in San Francisco. He would focus on how to improve the public transport system so that it is quick and efficient, making more people use it. Cullinane may even address the possibility of electric trains and buses and creating strong policies to make it more advantageous for electric vehicles to be used more frequently. Banister would agree to an extent with San Francisco. He would say that while policies are important leadership and behavioral changes are important as well. The leadership of the C40 helped to encourage the mayors of the San Francisco Bay Area to promote electric vehicles to assist with the reduction of gas emission (Khuang & Gomez-Ibanez, 2010, p. 1). Banister would say that “‘lifestyle’ changes” mentioned are important (Khuang & Gomez-Ibanez, 2010, p. 3). Creating more efficient cities, where streets are multi-purpose and public transport is with reach to access essential locations quickly is important. However, leadership to continuously adjust cities to maintain a pattern that helps to reduce car usage is essential.

Question 5

This equation regarding carbon emissions is from page 3 of the case.  What do the authors of the case say it tells us about the role of electric cars?  What would Banister say about the equation?  Is there a conflict between the two points of view?  What can you conclude about the role of electric vehicles as a solution to the problem of carbon emissions? CO2 = PMT x VMT/PMT x Energy/VMT x Carbon/Energy (4 points)

My Response

Electric cars will be important to help reduce energy and carbon usage. Banister would more so focus on the PMT and VMT, emphasizing the need to make behavioral changes to reduce gas emissions. There is a conflict between the two points of views. The case emphasizes electric vehicles ability to reduce carbon and energy usage. Banister more so emphasizes the ability to reduce PMT and VMT through more accessible public transport systems and behavioral changes through strong leadership. Electric cars are an important factor, but the actual overall impact on decreasing carbon gas emissions may not be great. Investing in electric public transport vehicles and making them more accessible will help. As well as reorganizing cities so that public transport is more easily accessible is a must for decreasing gas emissions. Additionally cities need to be more compact for easier accessibility to various organizations. The reorganization and the expansion to electric public transport vehicle will make a great impact on gas emissions.

Essay PAD3800 RVC 1198 Module 13 Case 3 Response Form MS