In the modern world, technology is constantly changing to suit the needs of human beings. Humans are solution-oriented, always moving to develop systems that can impact society. This is the case with the automotive industry. Over the years, the American automotive industry has been synonymous with the bulky and potent V8 engine in muscle cars. Automobiles such as the Dodge Challenger Demon were developed to provide power, their main selling point. The roaring V8s that the cars have are unique and have always attracted many car enthusiasts. Nonetheless, with the dynamic nature of technology comes the electric motor. Electric motor presents a new approach to automobiles in that rather than using the traditional combustion and movement of pistons; its power source is a battery pack. Both the motor and the traditional muscle engine have their tradeoffs. However, time will tell, which will ultimately reign the automotive industry. The electric motor provides an alternative to the traditional muscle engine and, with the dynamism within technology, offers the possibility of creating an electric motor with the same power output as the traditional muscle car engine.
Background to the Topic
As an automobile enthusiast, it is a no-brainer that the topic of motors and engines captivates my attention. Tesla has been on the frontline in the production of EV automobiles. Tesla’ Model 3 caught the eye with the news that it is the most sold electric car. In 2020, up to 365,240 units were sold (Tesla, 2022). In addition, Model 3 holds around 12% of the market share. Other EV makers such as SAIC Motor, Volkswagen, BYD, and Hyundai are keeping up with Tesla in producing EV automobiles. This raises the question of what the future holds for the traditional engine. There are concerns over the future of these age-long engines, which have served humans for decades. Issues of their viability in the age of environmental awareness raise questions if they would be phased out in favor of the electric motor.
Reports suggest that traditional muscle engine automobiles have contributed to the destruction of the environment. This is due to the emission of CO2, which has increased global warming. Up to 20% of CO2 emission on the planet has been attributed to traditional muscle engine automobiles (Manisalidis et al., 2020). Additionally, with an increase in fuel economy, many electric motor vehicles are being produced. While EVs have no tailpipe emissions, there are still discussions over their role in environmental destruction with the carbon footprints accrued during the production process (ČEkerevac et al., 2022). Ultimately the uncertainty of the traditional muscle engine further raises my interest in the issue. The concern in both the electric motor and the traditional muscle engine helps ascertain the need to dive deep into the topic to determine the possibility of advancing the technology of electric motors. Much has been said on the inevitability of the electric motor, but there is no clear answer to the implications of the traditional muscle engine. One thing for sure is the replacement of the traditional muscle engine with the electric motor will evoke a feeling of nostalgia, given many grew up admiring the sheer power of the V8s in the Ford Shelby Mustang GT500s.
Present Knowledge on the Issue
The source of energy of electric vehicles are batteries that cause motion. The energy goes through a controller, which helps regulate the voltage as it is sent to the vehicle’s motors. Consequentially, the vehicle’s wheels are powered by the motor leading to motion. On the other hand, the vehicle must be fueled first in the traditional muscle engine. The energy is then transmitted to the engine, which transmits power to the transmission and later the vehicle’s wheels. The process of converting and transmitting energy to the vehicle’s wheels is more complex than the electric motor. Nonetheless, the traditional muscle engine’s internal combustion does not rely on motors; hence is lighter.
Regardless of its process to generate energy, the ultimate result is motion. On the one hand, the traditional muscle engine uses fuel to generate energy hence motion. At the same time, the electric motor relies on external sources to acquire motion which then leads to motion. Thus, electric motors might be considered as using electrical and mechanical energy. Since the traditional muscle engine has a higher energy density, it can generate a higher energy output per density fuel. Additionally, it takes less time to fuel a traditional muscle engine than it would take to charge an electric motor. Example: It takes less than ten minutes to refuel a traditional muscle engine. On the downside, traditional muscle engines are environmentally toxic as the fumes emitted contain CO2 that negatively impacts the environment. Additionally, one would say that the traditional muscle engine is less efficient than the electric motor since they use more energy to initiate and sustain motion.
On the other hand, electric motors are environmentally friendly. They give zero emissions as they do not emit exhaust gases, thus playing into the narrative of environmental consciousness and awareness. Furthermore, they have instant torque, which bolsters their acceleration from a still position compared to a traditional muscle engine vehicle. Whether it is the electric motor or the traditional muscle engine, both share common characteristics. However, the automobile industry is constantly evolving to meet the demands of consumers. The rapidness in which advancements within the industry occur highlights the significance of staying up to date with the new technology to stay informed.
Evidence-Based Research on the Issue
There are speculations that electric motor-powered vehicles are the future of automobiles. There are suggestions that the traditional muscle engine operates at 30% efficiency (ČEkerevac et al., 2022). The other 70% accounts for the heat, sound, and friction produced as the fuel is converted to energy while generating pollutants that negatively impact the environment. On the contrary, electric motor-powered vehicles function at approximately 90% efficiency (ČEkerevac et al., 2022). Studies attribute this to the instant power caused by torque. A traditional muscle engine lacks adequate torque to cause motion at low speeds. Therefore, the vehicle needs help through a transmission to help increase the engine’s rotation and reduce the rotation as the vehicle gains speed. With torque comes speed. Many of the fastest cars on the planet are powered by electric motors. The emergence of electric motor automobiles such as Tesla’s Model S and Porsche Taycan Turbo S suggests that the traditional muscle engine cars are ultimately disadvantaged in performance and acceleration. Tesla’s Model S has a horsepower of up to 1,100 (Tesla, 2022). In addition, it has torque which enables it to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 2.23 seconds. This suggests that with an electric motor comes enhanced performance.
While some might suggest that the electric motor-powered vehicle takes longer to charge, these vehicles have a range of up to 100 miles per single charge (Shigeta & Hosseini, 2020). Most people do not cover such distances on a single day. Therefore, such cars can benefit people who can go to work and charge their cars overnight. According to car expert Dustin Grace, electric motors have been monumental enhancing engineering and are far more superior than traditional muscle engines (Shigeta & Hosseini, 2020). Furthermore, he adds that electric motor cars are catching up with the traditional muscle engine in terms of power. He cites Tesla’s “Ludicrous Mode,” which facilitates quicker acceleration by allowing more current into the electric motors from the batteries (Tesla, 2022). The car easily compares to the traditional muscle engine supercars, far more expensive. Electric motors have an advantage over traditional muscle engines in delivering more torque at lower speeds. However, the tradeoff is that the traditional muscle engine is considered over electric motors at high speeds.
Uncertainties on the Topic
While I have established that electric motor-powered vehicles have more acceleration and performance than traditional muscle engines, I do not know the approach that the producers of these vehicles might take to enhance the power capacity of electric motors. I speculate that the producers will have to trade performance to achieve this. Nevertheless, this will fail the concept of electric motor cars having better performance and acceleration. Thus, these are just speculations, and we shall have to wait and see if the rampant technological changes will play a role in the innovation and evolution of electric motors. Furthermore, I am not sure if it is even possible that the producers of electric motors can match the power of the traditional muscle engines. I am unaware of the current and future states of parameters in electric motors due to the pre-existing uncertainties, which might lay wide open the potential issues of the systems. Therefore, this makes it harder to determine the precariousness of the electric motor, given it uses less proven technology. Moreover, from today’s perspective, I am not sure of the market penetration and acceptance of electric motor vehicles in the long run.
Research Question Analysis
My research question revolves around the possibility of vehicle manufacturers creating an electric motor with the same power output as the traditional muscle car engines. The automotive industry has been rampantly developing over the years. Looking back, there has been significant development within the industry that some might have deemed impossible. These range from solar-powered machines to self-driving vehicles and many others. The trend does not seem to wither any time soon either. Technological advancements have played a critical role in the innovations within this industry. It would be safe to assume that as these trends keep going, there is a possibility of AI taking over in the operation of automobiles.
In terms of the electric motor car, we have already seen its qualities compared to the traditional muscle engine. According to reports, even some of the most common traditional muscle engine organizations consider shifting to the electric motor. Others like the Mustang want to take on a hybrid model to accommodate the electric motor and the traditional muscle engine in the exact vehicle. All these signs point to the complete adoption of the electric motor soon. The majority of the big names in the traditional muscle engine are shifting towards electrification. Nonetheless, incorporating electric motor features into the traditional muscle engines suggests a far superior machine that will stir major waves.
Therefore, with the technological advancements, engineering innovations, and massive investments by the big players in the industry, it is not a matter of how but when vehicle manufacturers will produce an electric motor with the same power output as the traditional muscle car engines. When this happens, it is beyond doubt that this will revolutionize what we believe to be a generation of innovation and advancements. Who knows, maybe it is a matter of time we might be talking about literal space cars.
Significance of the Issue of Discussion
According to the US Department of Transportation, there are over 276 million registered vehicles in the US (Borelli, 2021). Furthermore, 91.3% of American households have direct access to an automobile. Additionally, in 2021, approximately 310,000 electric motor-powered were sold in the US. Regardless of the numbers, the field is only growing, and there is a projected increase in sales over the coming years (Borelli, 2021). Therefore, like it or not, the issue directly or indirectly affects us, underlining its significance. Many people are used to the traditional muscle engines, which have been in existence for years now. However, we live in a dynamic world where we witness continuous technological advancements that affect us in the long run. All the major players within the automotive industry are heading towards electrification, given the numerous advantages it poses. Furthermore, with the increased environmental awareness and projected rise in CO2 emissions facilitated by traditional muscle engines, other measures are necessary to promote our well-being while making our lives easier.
Conclusion
The electric motor provides an alternative to the traditional muscle engine and, with the dynamism within technology, offers the possibility of creating an electric motor with the same power output as the traditional muscle car engine. The concern in both the electric motor and the traditional muscle engine helps ascertain the need to dive deep into the topic to determine the possibility of advancing the technology of electric motors. Moreover, the electric motor has better performance, torque, and acceleration while the traditional muscle engine has more power. With the technological advancements, engineering innovations, and massive investments by the big players in the industry, we may witness an electric motor vehicle that matches the power output of the traditional muscle engine soon.
References
Borrelli, L. (2021). Car Ownership Statistics. Bankrate. https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/car-ownership-statistics/#:%7E:text=There%20are%20276%20million%20vehicles,secure%20experience%20than%20public%20transportation.
ČEkerevac, Z., Dvořák, Z., & Prigoda, L. (2022). Electric or Internal Combustion Engines for Passenger Cars? – Environmental and Economic Aspects Communications – Scientific Letters of the University of Zilina, 24(1), B49–B58. https://doi.org/10.26552/com.c.2022.1.b49-b58
Manisalidis, I., Stavropoulou, E., Stavropoulos, A., & Bezirtzoglou, E. (2020). Environmental and Health Impacts of Air Pollution: A Review. Frontiers in Public Health, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00014
Shigeta, N., & Hosseini, S. E. (2020). Sustainable Development of the Automobile Industry in the United States, Europe, and Japan with Special Focus on the Vehicles’ Power Sources. Energies, 14(1), 78. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14010078
Tesla. (2022). Model S. Tesla. https://www.tesla.com/models
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