Electric transportation: History, advantages and disadvantages.

Introduction

In recent years, due to the rapid development of technology and increasing environmental problems, electric transport has been gaining popularity around the world. This type of transport is not only environmentally friendly, but also economically profitable. In the article, we will discuss the key advantages and disadvantages of electric transport, its varieties and features of use, as well as development prospects.

Electric transport is called all vehicles that run on electric traction, and not on fossil fuels, these can be cars or trucks, buses, motorcycles and bicycles.

The history of electric vehicles goes back more than a century. The first electric car was created back in 1841 in the form of a trolley with an electric motor. In 1899, I. Romanov developed a two—seat electric car, which had nine speed modes - from 1.6 to 37.4 km/h. In the first quarter of the 20th century, electric cars and cars with steam engines became widespread. In 1900, about half of the cars in the United States were powered by a steam engine, and in the 1910s in New York, up to 70 thousand electric cars were used in taxis. At the beginning of the 20th century, electric trucks and electric omnibuses (electric buses) also gained popularity.

Initially, the power reserve and speed of electric and gasoline cars were about the same. However, the main disadvantage of electric vehicles was the complex charging system. At that time, there were no modern AC-to-DC converters, and charging was carried out in a very complicated way. To recharge electric vehicles, an electric motor was used, which was powered by alternating current and rotated the generator shaft, to which the batteries of the electric vehicle were connected. In 1906, an easier-to-operate rectifier was invented, but this did not completely solve the charging problem.

In 1899, the electric car La Jamais Contente became the first vehicle to overcome the speed of 100 km/h (105.8 km/h). Later, American designer Walter Baker created an electric car that could reach speeds of up to 130 km/h. Borland Electric's electric car managed to travel from Chicago to Milwaukee (167 km) on a single charge. After recharging, he returned to Chicago, traveling at an average speed of 55 km/h.

A resurgence of interest in electric vehicles occurred in the 1960s due to environmental concerns related to road transport, and in the 1970s, when fuel costs soared due to energy crises, interest in electric vehicles increased.

Electric cars in the modern world have reached the peak of their development, combining comfort and minimalism, which allows you to choose a car for any needs and financial possibilities. In addition, electric vehicles have a number of advantages, such as:

1.      Environmental cleanliness is one of the main advantages of using an electric car. Electric vehicles run on electric energy, which, as a rule, is produced without releasing harmful substances into the atmosphere. This helps to reduce environmental pollution and meets international standards for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Figure 1. La Jamais Contente electric car

2. Comfort is another advantage of using electric vehicles. Electric cars run more smoothly and quietly than cars with internal combustion engines (ICE). Most electric cars are equipped with modern safety and control systems, which increases driving comfort and convenience.

3. Economic reasons. Depending on the country, charging is significantly cheaper than other types of fuel. Lower operating and maintenance costs are another advantage of electric vehicles. An electric motor does not require as many spare parts as a conventional internal combustion engine, and does not need regular replacement of oil, filters and other consumables.

4. Technical advantages, for example, electric bicycles can be used for long-distance trips not only for physically strong people, but also for people with limited mobility. Electric sports equipment makes a person more mobile.

There are many positive aspects of electric transport, but it still has some features that lead to problems:

1. One of the main problems of using electric vehicles is the limited range of trips on a single charge. This limitation makes electric transport less convenient for long-distance travel, especially in conditions of an underdeveloped charging infrastructure. But the developers of electric vehicles are engaged in creating a capacious and at the same time compact battery (Fig. 2).

2. The high cost scares off most of the buyers. However, with the development of technology and an increase in production, the cost is gradually decreasing.

3. Insufficiently developed charging infrastructure in some regions. For example, in some cities and countries there are still not enough charging stations to ensure convenient use of electric vehicles.

Figure 2. Device of a modern battery

These factors are temporary, because the demand for electric transport is high, and this triggers the processes of competitiveness.

Despite a number of positive environmental, economic and technical aspects available in the production and operation of electric cars, there are many negative nuances. We consider it necessary to focus on the most important nuances in a little more detail:

1. Battery production is not environmentally friendly.

On the one hand, the harmful emissions associated with the entire service life of an electric vehicle are usually lower than those of an average static vehicle based on an internal combustion engine, even taking into account the production and generation of electricity. On the other hand, do not forget the generally recognized fact: the manufacture of any modern batteries is far from the most environmentally friendly process. According to researchers from the Aragon National Laboratory (USA), the production of a vehicle based on an electric motor is much worse for the environment than a similar model of a traditional plan. However, taking into account the operation, as already mentioned above, the situation is the opposite.

2. Recycling batteries is harmful to the environment.

Firstly, the production of batteries itself is harmful to the environment. Secondly, their subsequent processing is also not 100% environmentally friendly. Moreover, it must be clearly understood that rechargeable batteries are systematically losing their effectiveness due to chemical aging processes. When it crosses the line of 70-80% of full capacity, the battery has to be changed: the vehicle significantly loses both range and acceleration dynamics. However, after active operation inside an electric vehicle, batteries, even with noticeable degradation, can still be used in other areas. This will reduce the environmental burden.

Tesla batteries, of course, are recyclable, but this process is also not always environmentally friendly (Fig. 3)

Figure 3. General view of the Tesla battery

3. the electricity used is not always green.

When electric cars are referred to as transportation that does not use fossil fuels, this is only partially true. One thing to keep in mind is exactly how the electricity is produced. Since currently more than 85% of electrical energy is produced through thermal power plants (Figure 4).

On the other hand, such plants are not used everywhere - more often they burn all kinds of “fuel oil” or engage in fission of peaceful atoms. However, even with this clarification, electric cars remain more environmentally friendly than “monsters” with internal combustion engines.

Fig. 4. General view of a thermal power plant

On the one hand, of course, there are wind and solar power plants that do not deplete the planet and do not differ in harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

Despite the above advantages and disadvantages, the prospects for the development of electric transport are very favorable. Currently, intensive research is underway in the field of new battery and charger technologies. New technologies should improve charging efficiency and increase the range of trips on a single charge. Governments and companies are also actively supporting the development of charging infrastructure. Some countries provide government support for the installation of charging stations and the development of electric transport. Electric transport can also be implemented in various fields such as trucking, taxis and even aviation. This opens up new prospects for the use of environmentally friendly transport.

Along with the global trend in the development of electric transport, in recent years Uzbekistan has also been making significant efforts to develop the electric transport industry as part of the initiative to switch to renewable energy sources and reduce carbon emissions. The main reason for the growing popularity of electric vehicles in Uzbekistan was the state, which introduced a number of benefits for their import from abroad. Thus, from January 1, 2019, a zero customs rate is applied to the import of electric vehicles, although it was initially proposed to set it at 10%. In addition, the excise tax rate has been reset for the import of electric vehicles. Thus, the owner of an electric car must pay VAT and various fees upon import, including to the road fund and for customs clearance.

In September 2021, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a law introducing a new paragraph in the Tax Code. According to the innovation, the import of electric vehicles into the country is exempt from payment of motor vehicle fees.

In the current conditions, electric transport has become for many Uzbeks an alternative to foreign cars with internal combustion engines, upon import of which it is necessary to pay duties and fees, which increases their cost.

In conclusion, we note that electric transport has many advantages, such as environmental friendliness, economy and comfort. However, restrictions on the use of electric vehicles, such as limited travel distances and an insufficiently developed charging infrastructure, do not make it possible to completely replace cars with internal combustion engines.

1. Nevertheless, new technologies and support from governments and companies can contribute to the development of the electric vehicle industry and solve these problems. For example, manufacturers are increasingly investing in the development of more capacious batteries and improved charging technologies, which allows you to increase the range of trips on a single charge and reduce charging time.

2. States provide benefits and subsidies for the purchase and operation of electric vehicles, which makes them more accessible to the public.

3. The transition to electric transport is an important step towards more environmentally friendly and sustainable mobility.