Introduction
Moving people and commodities across the globe are the responsibility of the important and quickly expanding global transportation and logistics management industry. However, the business also deals with several difficulties, such as rising fuel prices, worsening traffic congestion, and expanding ecological concerns. Electric vehicles have drawn more attention recently as a potential answer to these problems. These cars create no emissions at the exhaust and can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions because renewable energy sources power them. Different levels of electric vehicle adoption are now available globally. In a few countries, notably Norway and Iceland, EV sales make up a sizable portion of the market for new automobiles. In several other nations, including the United States, popularity is still very modest even though it is increasing swiftly. According to the International Energy Agency, there will be more than 8 million electric vehicles globally by 2020. However, about 3% of the entire global automotive fleet comprises hybrid cars (Lebrouhi et al, 2021). As a result, the use of electric vehicles in logistics management and international transportation is becoming more prevalent. This suggests that electric cars will become the norm in transportation.
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The benefits of electric vehicles
Decreases emissions of greenhouse gases; electric vehicles emit zero pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, or particulates because their exhaust is completely emission-free (Varma et al, 2020). This has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions drastically, a significant contributor to climate change. Operating an electric automobile is equivalent to removing the emissions from an 80-mile-per-gallon gas-powered vehicle.
Savings from lower fuel costs, compared to cars running on gasoline or diesel, electric cars are substantially cheaper to run. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the cost of electricity to power an electric vehicle is around half that of petroleum per mile. Operators of electric cars can save thousands of dollars each year on petrol as a result.
Ensures greater energy security by using locally produced electricity. Using fewer electric cars can help reduce reliance on foreign oil. This is advantageous in countries where oil imports are the primary source of income. Electric vehicles can also help lessen the risk of rising oil prices and supply constraints, which might hurt the economy (Varma et al, 2020). The economy, public health, and the environment can all benefit from electric automobiles.
Barriers to the adoption of electric vehicles
One of the main barriers to the mainstream acceptance of electric vehicles is their high starting costs. Many individuals may be turned off by electric cars because their price is still prohibitive compared to conventional gasoline or diesel vehicles (Lebrouhi et al, 2021). The price of the batteries, which make up a sizable portion of the total cost of an electric car, is primarily responsible.
Other barriers to the widespread usage of electric vehicles include the inadequate accessibility of charging stations and the restricted accessibility of charging points. Many potential purchasers may be hesitant to purchase an electric automobile if they are unsure about their ability to find a charging system when they need one (Lebrouhi et al, 2021). Additionally, inadequate infrastructure for device charging can make long-distance trips problematic or impossible.
They have limited model selection since electric vehicles are still relatively innovative. This may turn off customers looking for a specific brand or model of car. Consumers may find it more challenging to choose a vehicle that meets their needs because fewer models are available, limiting their alternatives.
Government policies and initiatives to promote the adoption of electric vehicles
Governments worldwide spend on research and development to advance electric vehicles. This may entail funding for the creation of batteries, the construction of charging infrastructure, and the investigation of novel materials for use in electric vehicle components (Song & Potoglou, 2020). Through efficiency improvements and price reductions, this research and development can raise the appeal of electric vehicles to consumers. Worldwide, many nations have implemented projects to electrify their public transportation fleets. This may entail converting today’s cars to run on electricity or transitioning from diesel or gasoline to electricity. This may show off what electric cars are capable of, help build infrastructure, and increase interest in electric cars.
Governments in certain countries have enacted laws forcing automakers to sell a certain number of electric vehicles domestically. This may promote the expansion of the electric vehicle supply chain, the use of electric vehicles on public roads, and the availability of charging stations (Song & Potoglou, 2020). Governmental efforts and initiatives have great potential to promote the adoption of electric vehicles. These rules could bring down the price of electric cars, improve technology and infrastructure, and increase the number of electric cars on the road.
Conclusion
In conclusion, using electric vehicles can significantly enhance the world’s transportation and logistics systems through lower emissions, decreased reliance on fossil fuels, lower operating costs, increased sustainability, decreased noise pollution, potential integration with smart grids, and increased use of renewable energy sources. Methods must be implemented to overcome these obstacles and encourage using electric vehicles in logistics and international transportation. It is anticipated that the use of electric cars will expand as technology advances and costs decline, resulting in a cleaner, more sustainable transportation sector.
References
Varma, M., Mal, H., Pahurkar, R., & Swain, R. (2020). Comparative analysis of greenhouse gases emission in conventional vehicles and electric vehicles. International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology, 29(5s), 689-695.
Lebrouhi, B. E., Khattari, Y., Lamrani, B., Maaroufi, M., Zeraouli, Y., & Kousksou, T. (2021). Key challenges for large-scale development of battery electric vehicles: A comprehensive review. Journal of Energy Storage, 44, 103273.
Song, R., & Potoglou, D. (2020). Are existing battery electric vehicle adoption studies able to inform policy? A review for policymakers. Sustainability, 12(16), 6494.