Genre: white paper Bailout for a Greener Future The Problem
Download 21.98 Kb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- Bailout for a Greener Future The Problem
- Stipulations
- Downsizing of Operations Cutbacks in Executive Pay Job and Factory Cuts
- Reasons for Supporting Hybrid Technology Peak Oil
- Improvements in Hybrid Technology
Hummel Mark Hummel N. Pieplow WRTG 1150 5 December 2008 Final Writing Project purpose: increase investment in hybrid vehicle technology audience: US government, and auto-industry officials genre: white paper Bailout for a Greener Future The Problem Recent developments in the United States markets have meant devastating repercussions for Detroit’s ‘Big Three’ automakers: GM, Ford and Chrysler. CEOs Rick Wagoner, Alan Mulally and Robert Nardelli have already asked for $25 billion from the new Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), although there is much speculation as to whether or not this will be effective (Vlasic and Herszenhorn 2008). Unfortunately, given the state of the economy and the fact that our nation’s largest automakers are on the brink of bankruptcy, now is not the time to delay decisions. Congress should act with the highest urgency in a fashion that is intelligent and orderly. The Solution Research done by many experts in the fields of hybrid technology and alternative energy shows that hybrid vehicles offer a viable solution to the lagging sales of American automobile manufacturers. With the money supplied by TARP, these automobile manufacturers can reshape their ineffective operating plans in order to once again place American automobiles in the forefront. Additionally, the recent election of Representative Henry A. Waxman (D- CA) as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee will inevitably increase environmental legislation, forcing the auto industry to clean up its act, both literally and figuratively (Broder 2008). On November 20, Waxman himself intelligently said, “We are at a unique moment and have an opportunity that comes only once in a generation” (Waxman 2008).
In order for this bailout to work there need to be certain strings attached:
As Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank points out, auto makers should be required to submit operating and restructuring plans and describe how the loan money will be used (Schroeder 2008). Furthermore, the automobile manufacturers should be required to produce a greater percentage of hybrid vehicles than vehicles with internal combustion engines, and invest a large portion of money into further research on efficient automobiles. The final goal should be a market that completely shifts away from using non-renewable sources of energy in order to capitalize on the future of transportation.
It should be clarified at this point that there are multiple types of hybrid vehicles. The best configuration to pursue is the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), of which Chevrolet already has a well-developed prototype: the Volt. The advantage of this model is that it has the ability to run for a certain distance on its battery power alone, and can be charged using common household electrical outlets and even photovoltaic panels. The small gasoline engine is provided only so that more electrical energy can be produced in the event that the battery runs out of power while underway (Frank 2007). Reasons for Supporting Hybrid Technology
Rising prices for crude oil have created disarray for many drivers. Our world is facing an oil crisis. The number of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars is increasing despite the fact that they rely on a non-renewable source of energy. It cannot be denied that one day this source of energy will be depleted, and a new one will need to be used. William W. Reinhardt believes that peak oil will arrive within 15 years, if not sooner (Reinhardt 2007). Robert K. Kaufmann and Laura D. Shiers estimate that an alternative to oil will be needed in approximately 22 years (Kaufmann & Shiers 2008).
As pollution continues to rise due in large part to green house gases such as CO2 emitted by the combustion of gasoline, environments around the globe slowly start to deteriorate. The effects of this destruction are already being seen and will only continue to get worse. Plug-in hybrid vehicles cut down on emissions by using a battery as the main source of energy, rather than a combustion engine. Potentially, these hybrids can run on battery power alone, reducing emissions to zero.
By relying on electricity rather than gasoline, hybrid vehicles will save a lot of money, especially at a time when the price for a gallon of gasoline in the last decade has tripled (Frank 2007). For example: if the average driver uses one 16-gallon tank of gas per week, at four dollars per gallon, they would save over $3000 in one year. Shipping costs due to transporting oil from foreign countries would no longer be an issue. Money can also be spared given the fact that hybrid vehicles can be charged by means of renewable sources of energy: photovoltaic panels, wind generators, hydroelectricity, etc.
Not only will the use of hybrid technology save money for users, it will also increase revenue, boost the economy and create more jobs in the United States. This will be possible because energy will come from power plants located within our borders. Without having to rely on foreign countries for oil, the United States will no longer be at the mercy of unfriendly governments and their trade embargoes.
Because the United States would no longer need to rely so heavily on foreign oil if hybrids were in common use, national security would no longer be as much of a problem. Relations with the Middle East, long our main source of oil, will be improved if we don’t have to drill in potentially hostile areas. Severing our ties with OPEC would vastly reduce their power in diplomacy. By ceasing drilling operations in potentially hostile areas which are harbors for terrorists and anti-American sentiments, we would be greatly improving our own national security.
If the Big Three auto manufacturers were allowed to collapse, not only would the effects be devastating to the economy, but also for job security. According to the Center for Automotive Research, it is estimated that up to three million jobs could be lost with the downfall of GM, Ford and Chrysler (Gross 2008). A lay-off like this has the potential to turn our current economic crisis into a full-blown depression. Jobs will also be created by the increased demand for wind and solar generators.
If the United States were to focus on the future of the automobile market, there would be a greater chance to get ahead before other countries catch up. US automobile companies will be able to monopolize on hybrid and fuel efficient technology, making them far more competitive against countries like China and Japan, which already benefits from large sales of hybrids like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid, in the world market.
The transition to hybrid technology will also save peoples’ lives. Millions of adults and children every day suffer from the effects of pollution on the respiratory system. Rising levels of CO2 and particulate matter would begin to decline, improving ecosystems and issues such as global warming. Improvements in Hybrid Technology Current research in the field of hybrids has led to some major advancements as well, proving that they are a reliable solution for the future. Andrew A. Frank, who has his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California and has worked on advanced automotive drive systems for high fuel efficiency at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is a leading expert on the issue of hybrid technology. According to Professor Frank, electrochemical batteries today can hold 20 to 30 times more energy than the flywheels initially used in hybrids. This in turn has resulted in improvements of 20 to 30 percent in fuel economy. And although hybrid vehicles have a limited range, it is estimated that the typical driver travels less than 40 miles a day, which hybrid vehicles are able to manage, with new technology (Frank 2007). The advanced lithium-ion batteries that are now becoming more common for hybrids are smaller and lighter than the metal-hydride cells usually used (Frank 2007). Frank also believes that these lithium-ion cells will be able to store more energy, absorb more energy from regenerative braking, and possibly last for 15 years and 150,000 miles (Frank 2007). And because of all of the investments in the electric grid over the last century, there is a large refueling infrastructure for electricity (White 2008). An interesting development in hybrid vehicles that puts less strain on the environment is the idea of “regenerative braking.” It allows for hybrids to actually create energy by using the electric drive motor as a generator when the vehicle is going down hills or braking (Høyer 2008). This way the vehicle can charge its own batteries while driving. Early estimates, according to Høyer, showed that regenerative braking had possible increases in car ranges up to 40 percent (Høyer 2008). Another feature of hybrids that spares energy and helps the environment is the fact that they don’t have to idle like ICE vehicles, which means they cut down on emissions (Frank 2007).
The fact that the American auto industry has long been lagging behind its competitors is a sign that we need to change it completely. We can think of this as an opportunity to step back, assess the situation and make an intelligent move to be one step ahead of the game in the markets of tomorrow. A bailout of Detroit’s Big Three with the aforementioned stipulations will provide a healthier economy and a greener future. Works Cited Broder, John M. (2008, November 20). Democrats Oust Longtime Leader of House Panel. New York Times, p. A-1. Retrieved December 3, 2008, from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/21/us/politics/21dingell.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=Waxman&st=cse. Frank, Andrew A. (2007). Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles for a Sustainable Future. American Scientist, 95(2), 158-165. Gross, Daniel. (2008). In Defense of Detroit. Newsweek. Retrieved from http://www.newsweek.com/id/168941/page/1. Høyer, Karl Georg. (2008). The history of alternative fuels in transportation: The case of electric and hybrid cars. Utilities Policy, 16(2), 63-71. Schroeder, Robert. (2008). Big Three press bailout case for second day. Wall Street Journal Market Watch. Retrieved from http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/big-three-automakers-return-capitol/story.aspx?guid=A5677F52-C51B-47D6-891B-E144EE095DDB&dist=SecEditorsPicks. Vlasic, Bill, & Herszenhorn, David M. (2008, November 18). Detroit Chiefs Plead for Aid. New York Times, p. A-1. Retrieved November 19, 2008, from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/business/19auto.html?_r=1Waxman, Henry A. (2008). Rep. Henry A. Waxman’s Statement after the Democratic Caucus elected him to be the Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Retrieved December 03, 2008, from http://www.waxman.house.gov/.White, Joseph B. (2008). WHY THE Gasoline Engine Isn't Going Away ANY TIME SOON. Wall Street Journal - Eastern Edition, 252(64), 1-3. Directory: students students -> A chronology 1660-1832 The Restoration Settlement students -> Introduction students -> Storm Surge: a rising Danger students -> Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog students -> April 9, 2008 Hurricanes (Continued) students -> Instructions for Writing Hurricane Term Paper students -> Rationale: why are we interested in Atmospheric Science? students -> Atmo 336 – Section 001 Name students -> Instructions for Writing Cap and Trade Term Paper students -> Instructions for Writing Cap and Trade Term Paper Download 21.98 Kb. Share with your friends:
|