Chapter 3: Current Problems

3.1 The downside of electric cars

For everything they are cons and the electric car is no exception. Here are a few points:

• Zero emissions:- Many people believe that electric cars are zero emissions free but that is only the case if the energy used to charge the car comes from a renewable source.

• Expensive:- The concept of a electric car is not new but the research and money been invested into the technology, makes then expensive.

• Infrastructure:- There needs to be investment particularly in charge points.

• Low range:- May only do a only 100 miles per charge and can take up to 6 to 8 hours for a charge.

• Lithium shortages:- Lithium is an important material for the battery and there is a limited supply of Lithium for worldwide demand.

• Politics:- There most be a will for change, particularly by governments.

• Drive ability:- Electric cars are slow to accelerate, it is a issue that is technically solvable.

3.2 ESB power supply

One of the main reasons for a electric car seems so attractive is its relatively low running costs. One of the reasons for electric cars are becoming a talking point is because of oil prices increasing. One of the concerns is that the national gird may not be handle to big increase of consumption coming from electric cars.

As more electric cars appear on the gird, they could overburden the gird and it is possible that the grid won't be able to handle the demand.

One of the solutions is the a smart grid and time of use when the cars are plugged into the national grid during off peak time.

3.3 Lithium supply

There is concerns that a increase demand for electric cars may lead to Lithium supply problems. The cause of the demand for lithium is the increasing global demand for electric cars. There are three main categories of electric vehicles:

• Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV):- Combination of electric power and combustion engine.

• Electric Vehicles(EV):- Powered by the battery, can be charged the gird.

• Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles(PHEV):- Combination of electric power and combustion engine but can be plugged in.

Fig 3.1 Lithium demand vs supply Image from Lapis.com.au

As illustrated in Fig 3.1 that demand for Lithium will increase, there could be supply problems for a short to medium term but over the long term, production would rise to meet demand and with the help of battery recycling.

3.4 Zero Emissions?

The question is, are electric cars really zero emissions?

The answer is yes and no. Yes, the cars themselves product zero emissions but the electric car is as green as the electricity that powers it. This means that went the electric is connected to the national grind to be charged. Its where the national grind is getting its energy from as explain in chapter 2 Ireland's reliance on importing fuel to maintain a supply of energy.

The only way for electric cars to be really zero emission is if the electric supply company's like ESB or bord gais get there energy from renewable sources.

3.5 Infrastructure

For electric cars to come appealing for potential buyers there would be a need for heavy investment into infrastructure in particularly charge points. Drives between cities and towns require a network of public charging stations or another method to extend the range of electric vehicles beyond the normal daily commute.

Somebody will have to pay for the installing the charge points and the responsibility will lie on the government this could mean extra taxes or higher electricity bills.

Fig 3.2 Car charging at a charge point