Monday, November 15, 2010

Essay 4 Preliminary Outline & Questions

Why Not Buy An Electric Car?
Intro Paragraph:  Electric cars, once thought to be an idea for the future, have become a present day reality.  The fossile fuel crisis and concern for the environment have forced automobile makers to seek alternatives to gasoline and diesel-fueled cars.  Many countries are implementing charge stations and electric car purchases are increasing (***); however, many people are still hesitant to invest in an electric vehicle.  It’s too different.  Hybrids have become trendy.  Many people think of the electric car as ….; however, the electric cars of today are greatly improved….  Thesis Statement:  If consumers are interested in doing their part to help the environment, the electric car is an alternative that is environmentally friendly, convenient, and cost effective, despite the myths.
Section #1 - Paragraph #1:  Range/Charging/Convenience – Opponent’s viewpoint. 
Section #1 - Paragraph #2:  Refute.
Section #2 - Paragraph #1:  Pollution – Opponent’s viewpoint. 
Section #2 - Paragraph #2:  Refute.
Section #3 - Paragraph #1:  Cost (Initial cost/cost to charge/cost to maintain) – Opponents viewpoint. 
Section #3 - Paragraph #2:  Refute. 
Section #4 - Paragraph #1:  Don't have to sacrifice style & speed & joy of driving - Opponents viewpoint.
Section #4 - Paragraph #2:  Refute.
Conclusion paragraph.

Questions:
  • A brief history / interesting facts regarding electric cars of the past?
http://books.google.com/books?id=vfZceT8LpYoC&pg=PA1&lpg=PA1&dq=electric+cars&source=bll&ots=bVMUGQflv-&sig=ama7zyvKONpQp8FmP_rxB3XeLaQ&hl=en&ei=7PLjTOWFK8X6lweqkdy8DQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=18&ved=0CIIBEOgBMBE#v=onepage&q&f=false
  • Any major auto makers currently producing electric cars?  Which ones?
EVs:  Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt, Tesla (high end), ..........
Populary Hybrids:  Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, and some SUV's like Toyota Highlander, Chevy Tahoe
  • How much do they cost to buy?
Tesla starts at $101,500.  Chevy Volt $33,500.  Nissan Leaf $27,280.

http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/index#/leaf-electric-car/index

http://www.chevydealer.com/MiscPage_D?cs:a:i=lslp_banner_chevyvolt&gclid=CLeJsPu8raUCFQo65Qodc1X5aw

http://www.teslamotors.com/
  • What is the average cost to maintain (maintenance/repairs/charging)?
Maintenance:  70% fewer moving parts, which means less maintenance = less cost.  "No oil changes or replacing items such as filters, fuel pumps, alternators, and the like."  (book).
Chevy Volt offers 8 yr/100000 mi battery warranty.
Charging:  $1.50 per day electric / no gas. (***).  From Tesla web site:

  • Are there other incentives (taxes, etc)?
Yes.  Rebates.  Tax credits.  HOV lane access. (***)
  • How are they charged?  Is it inconvenient/not feasible?
***
  • What is the distance and speed an electric car can go once fully charged?
  • Do electric cars really help reduce pollution and America's dependency on foreign oil / fossil fuels?  Evidence/Research?
  • Can the batteries be recycled?
  • What do modern day electric cars look like?  Are they still tiny and ugly like they used to be?

3 comments:

  1. I like the way you organized this paper i feel like this will help me out alot with my organization.

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  2. Really cool topic to write a paper on. I don't understand why people don't use electric cars

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  3. I really like this topic. I think that there needs to be more electric cars, I'm doing a report in another class of mine on the Chevy Volt, which is a type of hyrbid car.

    Just to point out "The fossile fuel crisis" you have in your introduction, I believe the correct spelling of it is "The fossil fuel crisis" but I could be wrong.

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