Sociotechnical Plan for Self Sustaining Electric Car

 CS875-2202C-01

The Sociotechnical Plan

Raphael Brown

Date: 05/03/22

 

Sociotechnical Plan for Self Sustaining Electric Car

Characteristics of an Electric Vehicle

Electric vehicles are quiet, comfortable, cost-effective, and exhilarating to drive. Because an electric motor is smaller than an internal combustion engine, it allows for more inside space and a more pleasant driving experience. Torque, often known as pulling power, is available quickly, peak speeds surpass legal restrictions, and there are no gears to shift through. All-electric vehicles are automated, and they come equipped with the amenities we expect in high-end vehicles, such as a navigation system (with range advice and alternatives), air conditioning, temperature control, a phone charger, and Bluetooth connectivity. All of the NCAP safety ratings are 4 or 5 stars.

Additional desired features include park assist cameras, high-resolution intelligent displays, touch screens, 30-minute quick charging, auto-wipers and lights, a unique design, and environmentally friendly components. Many electric vehicle models also have park assist cameras. The three charging features are:

Rapid Charging

            Charge for 30 minutes at 80 percent capacity using a quick charging station. These are often seen at highway service stations, municipal parking lots, and garages. It is not the most cost-effective method of charging your automobile, but it does provide the ability to drive outside its range.

It's worth considering Ecotricity as your energy supplier if you're going to quick charge frequently since they provide cheap charging to their clients and have a completely electric car charging network in Europe, according to EV Experts. (Electric Car Features, n.d.)

Fast Charging

            A 3-8 hour charge when connected to an EV charging unit may be found in public parking lots, at work, or by having one installed at your residence. The government of the United Kingdom subsidizes the installation of home charging units. We can provide you with information about available grants in your region. On top of that, we can walk you through the numerous networks that offer charging devices in supermarkets, shopping centers, recreation facilities (including amusement parks), municipal parking lots, and restaurants.

A charging network should be joined, the network's app should be downloaded to locate a charging unit, and pay is straightforward and fast. (Electric Car Features, n.d.)

Trickle Charging

            An overnight connection to a typical 3-pin electrical socket is found in most homes. Most of our vehicles are delivered with a charging cable for use at home. We can provide you with any more leads that you need. It will take around 12 hours to charge your car completely, and the power will cost approximately $37.71. Customer installation of home charging equipment for fast charging their EV is strongly recommended.

If you're going to stay with friends, don't forget to bring the lead so that you can connect straight into a wall socket rather than an extension lead. (Electric Car Features, n.d.)

Limitations

            Electric automobiles have permanently altered the automotive business. Because of their fuel-efficient characteristics, many drivers can enjoy their commute to and from work without incurring significant gasoline expenses. Hybrid vehicles, which are electric vehicles that operate on electric power but convert to gasoline when the battery power runs out, are usually referred to as hybrid vehicles. Hybrid automobiles can travel a variety of distances on electric power, depending on the type and the capacity of the battery. If you get a car that has a range of around 40 miles on maximum power, it will most likely be sufficient for your daily work commute.

On the other hand, Hybrids are not without flaws, as seen by their poor market penetration. Here are the top five most often encountered drawbacks of all-electric vehicles. (Stan, 2016)

1. Battery power is limited.

One of the most significant disadvantages of electric vehicles has been the restricted capacity of the vehicle's lithium-ion battery. When ultimately charged, the majority of the vehicles now available have a driving range of fewer than 100 miles. It is only lately that top automobile manufacturers, such as Tesla, have introduced vehicles with a range of more than 250 miles. Tesla has accomplished this feat by developing a novel method of producing its batteries for use in electric vehicles. The business has developed a method that connects many tiny batteries to generate enough power to provide drivers with a driving range of 265 miles. Even though Toyota is one of the world's top automobile manufacturers, the company has only been able to produce an electric vehicle that can go 100 miles on an ultimately charged battery. (Stan, 2016)

2. The cost of electric vehicles is prohibitively expensive.

Electric vehicles are pretty expensive when compared to gasoline-powered vehicles. In the case of the new Tesla Model S, the cost is around $75,000 to $70,000. Many individuals will not afford the price since the batteries will need to be changed after a few years. The good news is that certain firms, such as General Motors, have plans to create an electric Chevrolet vehicle that is estimated to retail for roughly $35,000 when it is released. (Stan, 2016)

3. Charging takes an excessive amount of time.

You may not be able to take advantage of the benefits of an electric automobile unless you charge your car batteries overnight. The usual charge period for an electric automobile is around four and a half hours, which means that if you need to go someplace quickly, you will need to use gasoline instead of electricity. The difference is significant when comparing how long it takes to fill up a vehicle with gasoline. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel, thanks to experts working tirelessly to develop batteries that can be recharged in minutes rather than hours. The majority of the research focuses on lithium-ion batteries, which can be recharged more quickly and last for a more extended period than other batteries. (Stan, 2016)

4. A reduction in the number of models

Even though many manufacturers think that electric vehicles will be popular in the future, just a few manufacturers have committed to developing the vehicles. Consequently, just a handful of electric vehicle types are available on the market today. It is also noteworthy that the majority of the few models that are now accessible are made up of little automobiles. Electric vehicle producers have not created luxury or off-road cars that appeal to a wide range of consumers. Because many automobile customers are looking for opulent amenities in their vehicles, they will have to wait longer for the manufacturers to release an enticing luxury vehicle. (Stan, 2016)

5. The absence of charging stations outside of your immediate vicinity

One significant disadvantage of electric vehicles is that you can only charge your vehicle at home or at a charger location since they need specific charging equipment. As a result, if you decide to go for a long distance away from your typical charging outlet, you may be compelled to use gasoline for the remainder of your trip. The automotive industry has pushed for installing plug-in devices in gas stations, parks, and retail establishments to facilitate the charging of electric vehicles. In most cases, if you charge your phone in one of the charging units accessible in public areas, you will be paid for the service. As a result, you should investigate the cost of charging and set aside a budget for it before you begin your adventure. (Stan, 2016)

Purpose of for Self Sustaining Electric Car

            The primary purpose of the autonomous electric car is to save the owner a lot of money in energy costs that will be extensive. When I say autonomous, I am stating that the car will regenerate its own power from its own movement in which it recharges its batteries from specially designed generators attached to all four wheels of the car. This method would save a potential cost in the billions of dollars and the environment. This has been a dream that I have been thinking about since my early teens. Unfortunately, I cannot afford the endeavor; the power companies and fuel companies would probably find ways not to make it a reality.

 

References

Electric Car Features. (n.d.). EV Experts. Retrieved April 30, 2022, from https://www.evexperts.co.uk/features/

Stan. (2016, April 25). 5 Most Common Disadvantages Of All Electric Cars. Auto Review. https://autordee.com/5-common-disadvantages-electric-cars/