As we know, many auto makers are trying to produce better fuel efficient vehicles. This is why we have been noticing more hybrid gas-electric vehicles, as well as all-electric vehicles. Auto manufacturers have found that all-electric vehicles help cut greenhouse gases and smog, which is very beneficial to the environment. However, when it comes to hybrid gas-electric vehicles, there is not much of a difference between the two products. It's obvious that electric vehicles have lured in its customers because of "its ability to curb use of fossil fuels, which spew out pollutants including greenhouse gases." Studies have found that "charging an electric car over a 10 year span could be as much as 80% lower than driving a gasoline powered car." With this also comes and economic issue that troubles many individuals, and that is whether or not the battery packs used by plug-in hybrids will be recycled. Right now, there aren't many recycling companies that will take in such large batteries and because of this, GM Co. and Nissan Motor Co. are trying to find ways to give batteries a second life.
I feel as though no matter what the automakers try to come up with to build a more fuel efficient economy, there will always be an opportunity cost. There will be some benefits to their ideas as well as some disadvantages. Some people aren't always going to agree with the products being used because of how harmful it could be to society, such as the batteries not being recycled, but looking long-term, it's evident that using electrical vehicles are still better for out environment. The most important thing is to find ways to reduce greenhouse gases, and as long as that is taking place, there shouldn't be much disagreement with how the auto industry is working.
http://online.wsj.com/article/
I think that finding a place to recycle the batteries or a way to revive them so that they can last for at least two usages is a great idea. Sometimes when things are going good people forget to pay attention to details and therefore miss some opportunities to fix any disadvantages to their plan. Although the process of finding another usage for the electric cars' batteries may be annoying, in the end it will be extremely beneficial to society as a whole. But I do agree that at the moment, the main focus should be making the cars work to begin with. Once we have the electric and hybrid vehicles running smoothly then I think we can switch focuses and solve the problem mentioned.
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