Electric Power vs. Gasoline Power: Green Vehicles Articles: Eco20/20

Electric Power vs. Gasoline Power

The battle between electric power and gasoline power is an old quarrel. About one hundred years ago gas cars and electric cars were almost equally popular. But the rivalry that had its roots back in the 1830s disappeared about ninety years ago, with the construction of better roads and with the cheaper price of gas. The ability of gas powered engines to run for greater distances was the final blow that electric motors received and since then gasoline ruled over the automobile industry. But now the rapid advancements in battery technology, the global concern about gas emissions, and the high price of oil have reopened the competition.

Round 1: Fuel efficiency

At the moment fossil fuels are indispensable in the production of both gasoline and electricity. Many innovations have appeared in recent years that allow for the creation of electricity in different ways, but none are yet viable. So it all comes down to which of the two uses fossil fuels with the greatest efficiency.

If the same amount of raw energy is used to generate electricity and to refine oil with the most efficient methods currently available, the overall usable gasoline power that results is indisputably many times greater than the electricity power obtained. It seems that at first glance gasoline wins this round hands down, but things are hardly as easy as that. An electric vehicle is much more fuel efficient than a gasoline vehicle. So more oil is obtained from raw energy than electricity, but the electric engine compensates in the long run because of its higher fuel efficiency.

Round 2: Pollution

In terms of gas emissions, electric vehicles simply demolish gasoline powered vehicles. The pollution made by gas-powered cars is one of the issues that trouble the most environmental organizations around the globe.

A study published some time ago by the California Air Research Board found that a gas-powered vehicle produces 90% more gas emissions than an electric vehicle of the same size. Here the data speaks for itself and the round goes clearly to electric power.

Round 3: Performance

The wide adoption of electric cars has been hindered by the poor performance they offered in comparison to vehicles with an internal combustion engine powered by gasoline. All the advantages electric vehicles might have had over gas-powered vehicles were simply nullified by their limited driving range. But now, thanks to developments in batteries and other related technologies, things might change.

Still, the gas vehicle has one crucial advantage: its performance doesn't drop as its fuel tank is emptying. On the other hand, the electric car's performance is severely affected as the electric energy reserves run out.

Gasoline power wins this round but it is worth pointing that many people will do with a car that offers less performance as long as it drives alright and is friendly with the planet. The important thing is for the performance gap between the two to remain reasonable.

Verdict

Electric power seems to have the upper hand over gasoline power. Moreover, when considering the durability of electric cars, which require little maintenance compared to gasoline-powered cars, then electric power seems clearly the new yet so old type of energy to be used for powering up automobiles.