Electric cars should be adopted, while limiting gas-powered cars

Dependence on the limited, and financially unstable, foreign oil supply is ruining both the economy and the environment. Harm: The constant use of fossil fuels to power internal combustion engines for means of transportation will only end in economic burdens, environmental maltreatment, and many negative effects of personal health, such as lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and diabetes. Harm 1.Fossil fuels contribute to pollution Fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, when burned, lead nearly immediately to damaging impacts on local environments. When left unchecked, the use of fossil fuels spread to national, and eventually, global environments. Citation: Environment And Human Health, Inc., The Harmful Effects of Vehicle Exhaust, 2006, www.ehhi.org/reports/exhaust/summary.shtml Evidence: "Vehicle emissions contribute to air pollution generated from the combustion of fossil fuels from many other sources, including the burning of coal and oil in power plants, incinerators, home heating oil, and construction equipment. The combustion of gas and diesel fuels produce greenhouse gases that are contributing to local, regional and global climatic changes." Inherency #1: The use of gas-powered cars is heavily implemented into the current system. Large automotive corporations would be reluctant to transition, thus stunting an electric vehicle market. The implementation of electric-powered vehicles means an effective cutback, and if pursued strongly enough, an entire extinction, of tailpipe emissions. Cars powered by motors produce zero emissions, while internal combustion engines continue to contaminate the global environment. Citation: U.S. Department of Energy, "Benefits and Consideration of Electricity as a Vehicle Fuel", Jan. 02, 2015, http://www. Afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_benefits.html (DoE) Evidence: "EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, and PHEVs produce no tailpipe emissions when in all-electric mode." Harm 2.Gas-powered vehicles are significantly less efficient than electric vehicles Although new technology, electric vehicles surpass internal combustion engines in energy consumption significantly. The Honda CR-Z is currently rated the best miles per gallon vehicle- for gasoline-powered cars. In fact, it"s 10th, following the eight electric cars before it, which all exceed 100mpg (excluding the hybrid Prius at 42 mpg). Citation: U.S. Department of Energy, "Benefits and Consideration of Electricity as a Vehicle Fuel", Jan. 02, 2015, http://www. Afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_benefits.html (DoE) Evidence: "Miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent (mpge) and kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 100 miles are common metrics. Depending on how they're driven, today's light-duty EVs (or PHEVs in electric mode) can exceed 100 mpge and can drive 100 miles consuming only 25-40 kWh." For example, the Tesla Model S, a standard setting, electric vehicle, has an 85 kWh battery. On average, it costs $10.25 to charge from dead to full. A conventional vehicle, depending on gas prices, takes anywhere from $25-50 to fill up. In its absolute worst conditions (subzero temperatures, air conditioning on highest setting, constant acceleration, and city driving, one can still expect 240 miles on a single charge. As far as efficiency, electric cars travel further, on less energy. Citation: Tesla Motors, "Go Electric: Your Questions Answered ", 2015, http://my.teslamotors.com... Evidence: "Efficiency is thought of in terms of range: more efficient cars can drive farther on a gallon of gas or a kWh of electricity. The Tesla powertrain is more efficient at using energy than a combustion engine. Only about 2025% of the energy stored in gas actually turns the wheels. A Tesla is about three times more efficient." Inherency #2: The general public is not educated well enough on the harmful effects of the burning of fossil fuels. The scientific awareness of the populous is incomplete and unclear Inherency #3: The general view of electric cars is negative. Most people deem them "spineless" and "weak" because of their lack of aggressive engine power. Harm 3.Gas powered cars contribute massively to human health concerns. The burning of gas for transportation is not only killing the environment, but us, as humans, as well. The inhalation of carbon dioxide is scientifically linked to countless life-threatening diseases which can, and as scientists are founding out, are, linked to emissions exiting the tailpipe. Citation: Environment and Human Health, Inc., The Harmful Effects of Vehicle, http://www.ehhi.org... Evidence: "Scientific experts now believe the nation faces an epidemic of illnesses that are caused by air pollution. These illnesses include cardiovascular disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and diabetes." I will post further arguments in later rounds, but this is my opening set.