Blog 6: Electric cars 'pose environmental threat'

In recent weeks electric cars and recharging stations are making a large jump. The presidential debate has put alternative energy in the spotlight. California has one of the more progressive electric car programs. Tesla motors is one of the companies on the forefront of providing electric cars and charging stations. Tesla motors has made a push to provide charging stations across a large area for increased range of their cars. Electric cars to many is the alternative to combustion engines. Environmentally electric cars are the holy grail with zero emissions and recharged by solar power, but are they what everyone thinks they are. A report has come out that states the production of electric cars have twice the impact of combustion cars. Battery systems involved with the production of these cars cause just as much environmental damage. Processes to create the batteries needed for these cars requires toxic materials and mineral such as copper, nickel, and aluminum. Benefits from electric cars still exist, but to gain the environmental benefits electric cars have to be substituted for long time periods. Electric cars must spend years on the roads before they take the lead in the zero emissions race. Electric cars are still not as mainstream as everyone would like. Tesla motors has a few models, but these models are extremely expensive reaching one hundred thousand dollars. Alternate forms of transportation are still be developed. As we get more acquainted with the electric technology the process of production could be more efficient. Environmental emissions is a process we are still new at and it will take time to lower emissions through several outlets. Combining transportation with several types of low emission energy will be the key to preserving the environment. Technology is certain to improve the yield of energy from solar, wind, hydro, and hydrogen energy sources.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Motors
http://blog.sfgate.com/energy/2012/09/24/teslas-new-charging-stations-coming-to-a-freeway-near-you/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19830232
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/electric-car-maker-tesla-unveils-solar-powered-charging-stations-to-promote-longer-trips/2012/09/24/93ffd800-06c2-11e2-9eea-333857f6a7bd_story.html