Research Skills and Using Information: A Study on Electric Cars in the UK

This report discusses the background of electric cars, their benefits, and considerations. It includes a summary of two newspaper articles on the use of electric cars in the UK and a comparison between academic papers. The research methodology used in this report includes primary and secondary research.

Research skills

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Background of electric cars ............................................................................................................1
TASK-1 ..........................................................................................................................................2
Summary of key findings ................................................................................................................4
METHODOLOGY .........................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Electric cars are those that uses electric motors instead of gasoline model. Electric cars
have been around a lot longer than today's popular motor cars. Those who strive to protect
environment prefer electric cars. They introduced more than hundred years ago and seeing a rise
in popularity today. The cost will be lower if an individual prefer electric car. For example: the
cost of the electricity require to charge an electric car is less than the cost of petrol and diesel. In
this report, there is a discussion of electric cars this include invention, application, benefits and
consideration(Ait-Ouahmed, Josselin, and Zhou, 2018). Afterwards, two newspaper articles are
selected and notes are prepared from the same. Apart from this, a summary of key findings from
both articles is also provided. In the end the report consists a comparison between academic
papers including purpose, methodology and result.
Background of electric cars
The first electric car introduces in UK was develop in 1830s by Scotland Robert
Anderson. Batteries of cars yet not rechargeable, that could be recharged came along in 1859.
Another electric locomotive was introduced by Robert Davidson of Aberdeen in 1837.
Prototype electric launch in England was expand in 1884 by inventor Thomas Parker. That was
followed by William Morrisons in 1889-91 and launch a very simple electric wagon. In 2006 , a
small silicon valley start up, Tesla motors would start manufacturing a luxury electric sports car.
In 2010 Tesla took 465 million dollar loan from the Energy's loan department and established a
manufacturing company(Biresselioglu, and.et.al 2018). In short period of time Tesla become the
largest auto industry employer. Thus, it was during 2010s when electric cars started going
conformist here in the UK. Tesla marked the starting of the modern electric cars. UK become
very important market for Tesla. Company boost UK's electric cars sale in the market with 11
per cent. According to findings in 2021 Tesla delivered 7,304 electric cars in UK.
As of 2019, transport become the largest emitting sector of the UK economy. There is a
great production of carbon dioxide, greenhouses gases and transport emission. Present
government take several measures to diminish transport emission in the economy. Government
and local council uptake of electric vehicle. Because they help to reduce air pollution, reduce
noise pollution and support effort to reduce carbon emission. Since 2009, EU government has set
compulsory emission reduction for new cars on 31 January 2020 the UK left the EU. The
1

legislation of EU had been converted into UK laws. Both EU and UK have zero net carbon
emission targets set for 2050 by legislation. Government decide to reduce average emission from
cars across 15 per cent 2021 baseline. Afterwards this reduction will be 37.5 per cent by 2030
against the same baseline and zero low carbon emission by 2050.
Electric cars didn't have any concern associated with the steam. They were quite suitable
to drive and didn't produce any kind of environmental pollution like other non electric vehicles.
Electric cars quickly become popular with women residence in UK(Bonsu, N.O., 2020). Because
they were perfect for short trips and poor road conditions. So, there maintenance cost were also
less. Apart from this, UK government provide access of electricity so, it become easier to charge
electric cars. Now days electric cars become more popular than ever have been. There are
number of reasons to buy electric cars. Here, are some benefits of electric cars:
Beneficial for the environment: People strive for electric cars because they are helping
to reduce harmful air pollution and green house gasses. Other cars produce a lot of carbon
emissions that are harmful for people.
Better for health: Electric cars reduce harmful exhaust emissions that leads better
health. These cars are also quieter than other card, which means they produce less noise
pollution. Electric cars are hundred percent environmental friendly because they run on
electrically powered engines.
Cheaper to run: The cost of electricity require to charge an electric car is less than to
use petrol car. The cost will be very lower if charging is done from solar power plant. Sometime
state and utilities also offer incentives to electric car holders.
Cheaper to maintain: The maintenance charges of an electric car is relatively less than a
petrol or diesel car. The batteries of electric cars are not degrade around eight years because the
advance batteries were designed to plug-in electric cars for extend life(Danielis, Giansoldati, and
Rotaris, 2018). Apart from this, electric cars not require frequently engine servicing like other
cars.
More convenient: Electric cars are easy to recharge, even a normal household stock
could be use to charge the battery. These cars are more convenient for short trips.
TASK-1
A) Finding a online article on the use of electric cars in the UK
https://news.mit.edu/2021/electric-cars-charging-0121
2

The first article that taken into consideration, shows future sale of electric cars. The
government of UK is presently on course to entirely ban the sale of new cars that powered by
petrol and diesel cars. Also give order to ban the sale of new hybrid vehicles by 2035. After this
announcement growth of electric cars continues to accelerate. Currently there are no plans to
restrict the sale of second hand petrol and diesel. In-spite of that, the drivers of these vehicles are
likely to face increased taxation(Faskhiev, 2020). Amount of taxation is increased to encouraged
the drivers for acquiring electric cars. Afterwards the government said hybrids that produced
zero carbon emission can remain on transactions until 2030. However, not clarified what range
of carbon emission or it will be a different rules for the several types of hybrid vehicles.
Statical data of Electric cars sales is also provided in this article, which is given below:
Electric-cars sale still represent a compact proportion of new cars sale every moth, in
spite of growth is visible in this sector. In august 2021, electric vehicles capture 10.9 per cent
shares of the UK market a gain of 106.7 per cent. However, 38.4 per cent had by hybrids which
include mild, plug in and full hybrids, diesel had 7.5 per cent and petrol had 43.3 per cent
market shares. This data puts electric cars on a efficacious trajectory, and facilitate more options
than ever before.
Buying electric vehicles in UK is a very complicated process it involves range, taxation
policy, location, driving habits and weather conditions. In-spite of that, they are environmental
friendly. People use electric cars for short journey across city, they might get away with only
charging. For, long journey an element of planning is require. Its fairly straight forward to
incorporate charge stop for long journey. Today's longest range cars are still all Tesla's that have
some systems that exactly shows charging time for each station(Heuberger, Bains, and Mac
Dowell, 2020). Also, shows the range of battery available and occupied in the car. The
government has a grant system for those who willing to buy electric cars. As, of September
2021, the UK government provide grant up to 2500 pound for new-emission vehicle. The grant
fell from 4500 pound from early 2019. only cars with list price under 35000 pound are approved
by the government for the grant.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transport-secretary-encourages-uk-to-switch-to-electric-
vehicles
Second article is based on benefits of electric cars on the environment in UK. Also, this
article given answer some of the most common question that arises about Electric cars. Here first
3

question is, are Electric cars better for environment? Studies and research has shown that electric
cars are better for the environment. They eliminate green houses gases and air pollution as
compare to petrol and diesel cars. They improve air quality in the cities and towns of UK.
Because Pure electric cars produce no carbon dioxide emissions. Research shows, one electric
car on the road could save an average 1.5 million grams of carbon dioxide. The Luxembourg
institute of science and technology has introduce a tool to compare the overall environmental
impact of electric cars verses petrol cars. The main objective behind this tool to shows
comparison between electric cars and combustion engine cars. To reduce pollution government
of the UK and local councils want to accelerate the sale of electric vehicles. The government set
targets to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. Apart from this, the government also looking
to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2050(O'Neill, Moore, Kelleher, and Brereton, 2019).
Second question is based on how much electricity is required to fuel an electric cars. Studies
shows the requirement of fuel to generate electricity is less than 17 to 30 per cent as compare to
petrol and diesel cars. That is the major reason to produce less carbon emission. Next question is
about hybrid cars, that they are just as good for the environment. Plug-in is a type of hybrid card
which combine an Electric motor. It is important for hybrid driver to considered how their
electricity is generated. Because green credentials of a hybrid is depend on how much the
journey is driven. They typically have smaller battery, and therefore the range of battery is
between 25-55 miles. However, there maximum range is equivalent to a petrol or diesel car.
Summary of key findings
The article is based on government strategy to reduce environmental pollution.
Legislation of UK give ordered to ban the petrol and diesel cars in near future. Government use
several methods to reduce environmental pollution such as currently on course to ban the sale of
new petrol and diesel cars, give order to ban the hybrid cars, encourage the uptake of electric
cars. Because of these measures demand of electric cars is being accelerate. People attract toward
electric cars because they are environment friendly. Statical data regarding sale of electric
vehicles shows positive attribute(Patt, Aplyn, Weyrich, and van Vliet, 2019). Electric cars
capture great market area. Government take various step to get more electric cars on the road.
For this they try to install charging station on residential streets, comparatively in central
location. The researchers conduct a research to identify charging solution that would convenient
for people's. The team looked on regular activities of the peoples. This research is conduct to
4

understand the peoples preference and habits. With the upcoming time period electric cars
become more popular in UK. While the vast majority of people's require lower cost cars for their
daily activities. Electric cars are cheaper than other petrol and diesel cars. With the aim of
increasing electric cars on road government reduce greenhouse gas emissions from
transportation. Battery technology of electric cars is steadily improving. The research report
shows the importance of making overnight charging capabilities. It is very essential to provide
access charging medium to people. An element of planning is require to increase the sale of
electric cars in UK. Electric cars have charging station put down into their map reading system.
So, it is kindly elementary to include charging stop on longer journey.
Research has shown that electric cars are beneficial for environment. They reduces green
house gases and air pollution. Electric car produce no harmful gases such as carbon dioxide
emission while driving. Legislation of UK provide guidance to UK drivers regarding which
electric vehicle is suitable for their life. With the help to this they easily switch with the vehicle
would best suits their lifestyle. The application also shows the nearest charging point for their
electric cars. The electric car market in the UK accelerate rapidly with more models. The
government encourage drivers to buy electric cars by providing grand amount to them to the
government fund. Also, provide additional support to small businesses and renders to install
electric vehicle charging points. Transportation secretary of UK encourage drivers to go electric
on world electric vehicle day(Raugei, and Winfield, 2019). The government conduct several
programmes to show the cost benefit of Electric cars. The department of transport also produce a
''Beginners Guide to Going Electric'' to assist drivers to recognize what necessitate in diverting to
an Electric car. The main objective behind these facilities is to encourages peoples to own
electric cars. Government try to run more Electric cars on roads because they are less hazardous
for environment. Researchers shows that, once a person gone with electric cars they wouldn't
want to go back to a petrol or diesel cars. The article should provide some guidance to policy
maker at all levels who are examining the approaches to facilitates the reduction of green house
gas discharge.
METHODOLOGY
Research methodology is refers to way in which the researcher intend to carry out the
research project. In other word, it is about how a researcher comprehensively design a study to
certify valid and dependable outcomes that address the finding aims and objectives. This include
5

how to cope up things like assemble method, statistical method, observation and more. Some
examples about deciding: what data to gather and what to neglect, who collect the data, how to
gather the data( buy using various methods), how to analyse the collected data. The study of
article based on two different types of research primary and secondary.
Primary Secondary
Primary research is refers to the research that
requires the researcher to involve directly in
the data collection process. In this research, the
researcher is not depend on already existing
data because this is the process of collecting
first hand information(Reinhardt,
Christodoulou, Gassó-Domingo, and García,
2019). This type of research is organised to
gather valuable information regarding
customers need and preference towards a
product. Examples of primary research are:
interview, survey, questionnaires,
focus area. This research method require more
time and money but Primary research gives
specific result to a particular area.
Secondary research is a type of approach in
which researcher depends on existing research
data rather than collecting fresh data. The data
used in this research is already been compiled
gathered, organised, and published by others.
A researcher also obtain data for secondary
research by reading article, by visiting library,
internet, and archives. Another name of
secondary research is desk research because
researchers can easily access information from
the comfort to their desk. Secondary research
not require much money and time because
research data is already exist.
Statistical data that provided into first article is
collect through survey method. The survey
method is the process tool that use by an
researcher to gather information in findings. To
identify market value of electric cars, a survey
has been conducted by researchers. The finding
shows the growth rate of electric cars market.
In second article, researchers focus on
particular group of people and find their,
thoughts, preference and habits towards
The first article shows the future demand of
electric cars(Scorrano, Danielis, and
Giansoldati, 2020). The demand of electric
cars that would goes high in near future derive
from primary data. Survey method shows the
accelerating market value of electric cars.
In second article, researcher derive the benefits
of electric cars for environment. Researcher of
the European energy agency found that the
electric cars produce less carbon emission as
6

electric cars. Researchers conduct survey about
peoples daily driving habits and requirements.
compare to petrol and diesel cars. And these
research is taken from articles that present in
magazines.
Primary research method give the correct and
accurate data about electric cars(Wang, Tang,
and Pan, 2019). This method give real time
data that will be useful to solve problems
related to electric vehicles.
Secondary research method help to identify
audience and market. This is the best approach
to introducing a new thing is market.
CONCLUSION
From the above report It has been evaluated that, many time researcher unite primary and
secondary data gathering method in order to come up with the most logical outcome. Both
primary and secondary research have their own advantage and disadvantage. Primary data is
effective and quality is also up to the mark, but it is expensive and time consuming process.
Secondary research on the other hand is cheap and data collection is easy. But it is also possible
that the data may be outdated. So, before selecting any of these two, first researcher need to
examine the requirement, source, and cost, etc. it is very essential to considered the strength and
weakness of secondary and primary research before opting any of them. After, conducting the
research the researcher able to find the demand and requirement of Electric cars in peoples life.
The report shows the various benefits of Electric cars for the environment. Also, provide
information regarding government subsidies and grants to electric cars holders. Apart from this
government also take several measures to run more Electric cars in UK.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Ait-Ouahmed, A., Josselin, D. and Zhou, F., 2018. Relocation optimization of electric cars in
one-way car-sharing systems: modeling, exact solving and heuristics
algorithms. International journal of geographical information science, 32(2), pp.367-
398.
Biresselioglu, and.et.al 2018. Electric mobility in Europe: A comprehensive review of motivators
and barriers in decision making processes. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and
Practice, 109, pp.1-13.
7

Bonsu, N.O., 2020. Towards a circular and low-carbon economy: Insights from the transitioning
to electric vehicles and net zero economy. Journal of Cleaner Production, 256,
p.120659.
Danielis, R., Giansoldati, M. and Rotaris, L., 2018. A probabilistic total cost of ownership model
to evaluate the current and future prospects of electric cars uptake in Italy. Energy
Policy, 119, pp.268-281.
Faskhiev, K.A., 2020. Gas or Electric Mobilization? Russia Is on the Sidelines of
Progress. Problems of Economic Transition, 62(1-2), pp.61-77.
Heuberger, C.F., Bains, P.K. and Mac Dowell, N., 2020. The EV-olution of the power system: A
spatio-temporal optimisation model to investigate the impact of electric vehicle
deployment. Applied Energy, 257, p.113715.
O'Neill, E., Moore, D., Kelleher, L. and Brereton, F., 2019. Barriers to electric vehicle uptake in
Ireland: Perspectives of car-dealers and policy-makers. Case Studies on Transport
Policy, 7(1), pp.118-127.
Patt, A., Aplyn, D., Weyrich, P. and van Vliet, O., 2019. Availability of private charging
infrastructure influences readiness to buy electric cars. Transportation Research Part A:
Policy and Practice, 125, pp.1-7.
Raugei, M. and Winfield, P., 2019. Prospective LCA of the production and EoL recycling of a
novel type of Li-ion battery for electric vehicles. Journal of Cleaner Production, 213,
pp.926-932.
Reinhardt, R., Christodoulou, I., Gassó-Domingo, S. and García, B.A., 2019. Towards
sustainable business models for electric vehicle battery second use: A critical
review. Journal of environmental management, 245, pp.432-446.
Scorrano, M., Danielis, R. and Giansoldati, M., 2020. Dissecting the total cost of ownership of
fully electric cars in Italy: The impact of annual distance travelled, home charging and
urban driving. Research in Transportation Economics, 80, p.100799.
Wang, N., Tang, L. and Pan, H., 2019. A global comparison and assessment of incentive policy
on electric vehicle promotion. Sustainable Cities and Society, 44, pp.597-603.
Online
How to get more electric cars on the road, 2021. [online] Available through
<https://news.mit.edu/2021/electric-cars-charging-0121>
Transport Secretary encourages UK to switch to electric vehicles, 2021. [online] Available
through <https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transport-secretary-encourages-uk-to-
switch-to-electric-vehicles>
8