LSC/UoS BA: Assessing the Sustainability of Electric Vehicles

This case study examines the sustainability of electric vehicles (EVs) as a solution to climate change. It begins with an overview of organizational sustainability and the increasing market share of EV manufacturers globally. The analysis includes a critical evaluation of EVs' environmental impact, considering both the benefits of reduced emissions and the drawbacks of battery production and resource extraction. The study reflects on aligning personal lifestyles with sustainability ideals, suggesting practical changes like using LED bulbs, reusable bottles, and composting. It emphasizes the importance of reducing carbon footprints and explores decarbonization efforts in the EV industry. The conclusion highlights the significance of sustainable practices for businesses and individuals, advocating for responsible manufacturing and consumption to ensure a sustainable future. Desklib offers this and other solved assignments to aid students.

Building A Sustainable
Organisation

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
PART A...........................................................................................................................................1
Conducting detailed research of electric vehicles industry critical evaluation of their
sustainability in environment as well as rationale about using electric vehicles for reducing
carbon emission ..........................................................................................................................1
PART B............................................................................................................................................4
Reflective document on complying current lifestyles with sustainability ideals.........................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Organisational sustainability can be described as an adoption of sustainable practices in
varied functions such as leadership, global insights and management of an establishment
(Banerjee, 2017). In order to be sustainable, an organisation has to develop ability within itself
which help its managers to identify varied forces that affect their holistic growth in a long term.
Adoption of sustainability practices is beneficial for establishments as it helps them to add brand
value, develop their unique selling propositions and meet customer demands in an effective
manner. Sustainable development helps organisations in acquiring and mobilizing varied natural
resources which are useful for establishment for their production process and maintain their
positive brand image. For understanding of sustainability of electric vehicles, examples of
automotive companies are taken into consideration.
This project highlights the discussion about sustainable practices of electric vehicles
industry at a global level. This project also talks about current lifestyle by complying with
sustainability ideals in a reflective formant.
MAIN BODY
PART A
Regulating a descriptive research of electric vehicles industry along with critical assessment of
their sustainability in environment
Electric vehicles can be described as those automobiles which work on electric power either in a
full or partial manner (D'Eusanio, Zamagni and Petti, 2019). These vehicles incurs low cost as
compared to normal ones. These are designed in such a way that these are environmental friendly
and run without using fossil fuels. These vehicles are manufactured in namely two components,
battery and plug-in hybrid automobiles.
Detailed research of Electric Vehicle industry at global level
Market share of manufacturers of electric cars is increasing gradually all over the globe.
As these types of environmental friendly and are charged through electricity. These vehicles are
manufactured by automotive companies and booked by many people on a global level. These
cars are expensive as compared to traditional one but this cam be considered as a long term
investment as it does not required to be filled with petrol or diesel. In UK, there is a significant
increase in number of people booking electric vehicles in large number. As per a conducted
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survey, a reported 305,000 vehicles are registered by people showing a growth in industry of
74% in 2020 (Electric car market statistics. 2021). Well-known automotive brands that
manufactured and sold their electric vehicles in all over the globe are Nissan, BMW and many
more. There are varied automobile companies which are still trying to manufacture more models
in market such as Bentley and Tesla.
Even these companies are trying to expand their operations of manufacturing their
electric vehicles on a world wide basis (Guix, Bonilla-Priego and Font, 2018). Managers of Tesla
are working to collaborate with India for opening a manufacturing plant or assembly line which
enhances their brand image in an effective manner. These companies targeting a specific
segment of consumers such as supermini, hatchbacks and medium-sized vans. In order to
influence consumers towards electric vehicles and provide them with easy solutions of charging
stations, automotive organisations are increasing their market share gradually.
Not only in UK, electric vehicle industry is gradually increases in all over the globe.
Countries like Sweden, China, Iceland, Norway and many more are engaging constantly in
making electric vehicles. These electric cars are purchased by citizens of other countries as these
get toll exemptions in Norway. As per, Stuart Reddish (2021) Quick adoption of electric
automotive is a step for reducing greenhouse gas emission by 2030 (Stuart Reddish, 2021).
Electric vehicles market is rising with increased rate in China and Germany.
Critical evaluation of sustainability of electric vehicles
It has been critically evaluated that electric vehicles are sustainable in nature as it does
not use any sort of fossil fuels. It is environmental-friendly and does not produce carbon dioxide
or any harmful gas form their tailpipe (Mustapha, Manan and Alwi, 2017). This helps in
improving air for living beings in towns as well as cities. UK and government of other countries
are in a favour to bring electric vehicles in market in order to cut down the emission rates from
environment. It also helps in lowering the noise pollution that can affect many individuals.
However, studies revealed that batteries and chargers used in these electric vehicles are
processed through ways which harm environment in an adverse manner. Raw materials like
lithium, cobalt and manganese for manufacturing these batteries are mined and impact
environment. It is revealed that energy required for manufacturing these electric vehicles are
sufficient to produce two normal cars. These are run through electricity which is generated by
combustion process of dirty fossil fuels. It can be said that these electric vehicles are not an ideal
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alternative for traditional normal automotive. Manufacturing cost of these electric vehicles are
also very high as mining cost of these batteries are increasing.
Manufacturing cost is high as compared to traditional combustion engine. Battery
manufacturers are facing struggles with negative margins of their operations. They are also
facing issue of not having adequate cash flows. Researchers are also used to find zero emission
fuel cell technology that is cheaper which has a probable chances of replacing gas engine
vehicles (Nayak and Mohanty, 2017). This cell technology ensures flow of electricity on a
continuous basis and is highly durable. They generate electricity through sustainable means by
making use of oxygen and hydrogen. Sustainable practices helps an organisation in reducing
wasteful activities. It also helps in increase organisational productivity and performance level of
employees. It assists in attracting employees and investors towards brand and increase viability
in market. Practising sustainable practices help organisation to comply with legislative laws as
well as make shareholders happy.
PART B
Reflective document on complying current lifestyles with sustainability ideals
Sustainability is termed as a practice where individuals meets their own needs without
doing any adjustment in the ability of future generation for meeting their specified needs
(Staniškienė and Stankevičiūtė, 2018). For example, practising sustainability means usage of
solar and wind energy for producing electricity. In simpler words, sustainability defines the way
in which people live by saving resources for next generation. It is beneficial for effective growth
and development process of communities. My current lifestyle comprises of using lot of water in
completing my routine activities like bathing, washing my car and cooking. Then I used to go to
my college through driving my car. I am fond of surfing through internet for a long time at every
day.
I am thinking to comply with some of sustainability ideals to correct my current lifestyle.
I am thinking to change tube lights from Led bulbs in order to save electricity and energy. I will
switch to use reusable water bottles as these are more environmental friendly. I will shift to use
mason jar or wooden bottles having exotic designs and flowering printing. I will set time for
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taking showers and will try to take less time in bathing as conserving water is an important
aspect of sustainability.
I waste a lot of food also as I took heavy meals in plate but can not finish that. I will try
to compost my excessive food stuff and use it as a composter product to be used in my garden. I
will grow food on my own in my small kitchen garden. This practice helps me to eat organic
food and saves my money for procuring vegetables and fruits from market. I will purchase my
shopping stuff especially grocery one from the store which have recycle plant. As many
supermarkets such as Morrisons and Sainsbury provide recycle plant for recycling their products
by consumers themselves (Tourais and Videira, 2019). I will purchase sustainable toothbrushes
and also deny use of plastic bags in order to adopt sustainable practices. I will also try to
purchase recycled toilet papers and paper towels.
I used to waste a lot of papers in writing. I thought to use them in concise manner in order
tom become sustainable. I am thinking to drive less as it can lead to use of more fossil fuels and
can impact environment adversely. I will ask my friend to pool our vehicles and take either his
car or mine on specific day. This helps us to save money as well as petrol and can contribute
from myself to the environment (Yadav and Et. Al., 2020). I used to use environment-friendly
cleaning products in order to being sustainable as these are free from any negative impact.
Rationale about using electric vehicles for reducing carbon emission and lowering climate
change
It is important to reduce carbon footprints from environment because it helps to
minimizes the affect of global climate change (Rincon-Roldan, and Lopez-Cabrales, 2021). It
also assists in boosting global economy as well as maintains biodiversity on a global level.
Curbing carbon emissions helps enhance air, food and water quality. This sustainable practice
helps in meeting current needs and keeping varied resources for future generations. It is proved
from a study that air pollution and greenhouse gases affects slow climate change. It has been
proved from study that electric vehicles helps in lowering carbon and other harmful gases
emission as compared to traditional ones. Electricity grids which are run through fossil fuels are
used to charge electric vehicles. Batteries production process of electric vehicles is an intensive
process which requires lot of mining practices.
In order to make the process better, companies are thinking to follow the process of
decarbonisation. It is a process of lowering greenhouse and other gas emission which is produced
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mainly through burning of fossil fuels (Siebenhüner, 2017). Various industries are planning to
cut down pollution and improve the production process of electric vehicles which impacts
environment in an adverse manner. Battery production process of electric vehicles are more
harmful than traditional combustion engine automotive. Mining of lithium and cobalt extensively
can harm the environment and is a unethical business practice which can hamper image of
organisation on a global basis. Automotive establishments from all over the world have start to
recycle these batteries as these are manufactured through those inputs which can harm
environment and is non-renewable resource. Using sustainable practices in manufacturing of
electric vehicles keeps environment more friendly. This also helps in making production process
more effective.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been concluded that sustainable practices are significant for
maintaining effective lifestyle. Sustainable operations of establishments help them in creating
their brand image positive and meet customer demands on a timely manner. It is desirable for
organisations to maintaining sustainability in order to meet their pre-determined objectives.
Electric vehicles market is increasing day-by-day on a global level. As more people are willing
to adopt economical means that helps them to raise their standard of living in an effective
manner. These electric vehicles are expensive but it has significant worth in procuring them.
These does not require use of fossil fuels but need electric chargers in order to make them move,
many organisations provide charging station just like petrol pumps to them on roadside. Because
of electric vehicles, automotive industries are generating massive amount of profitability and
proficiency in their operations. It is desirable for companies to operate in an effective manner in
order to maintain sustainability in their organisations. It is required for organisation to provide
sustainable electric vehicles to consumers and do not not involve in illegal miming practices.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Banerjee, S. B., 2017. Teaching sustainability: a critical perspective. In Teaching business
sustainability (pp. 34-47). Routledge.
D'Eusanio, M., Zamagni, A. and Petti, L., 2019. Social sustainability and supply chain
management: Methods and tools. Journal of cleaner production. 235. pp.178-189.
Guix, M., Bonilla-Priego, M.J. and Font, X., 2018. The process of sustainability reporting in
international hotel groups: an analysis of stakeholder inclusiveness, materiality and
responsiveness. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. 26(7). pp.1063-1084.
Mustapha, M. A., Manan, Z. A. and Alwi, S. R. W., 2017. Sustainable Green Management
System (SGMS)–An integrated approach towards organisational sustainability. Journal
of Cleaner Production. 146. pp.158-172.
Nayak, S. and Mohanty, V., 2017. Green HRM for business sustainability. Indian Journal of
Scientific Research. pp.102-106.
Rincon-Roldan, F. and Lopez-Cabrales, A., 2021. The impact of employment relationships on
firm sustainability. Employee Relations: The International Journal.
Siebenhüner, B., 2017. The role of social learning on the road to sustainability. In Governance
and sustainability (pp. 86-99). Routledge.
Staniškienė, E. and Stankevičiūtė, Ž., 2018. Social sustainability measurement framework: The
case of employee perspective in a CSR-committed organisation. Journal of cleaner
production, 188, pp.708-719.
Tourais, P. and Videira, N., 2019. Innovative approaches to organisational sustainability: state-
of-the-art and conceptual framework. In Social Responsibility and Sustainability (pp.
37-56). Springer, Cham.
Yadav, G. and Et. Al., 2020. A framework to overcome sustainable supply chain challenges
through solution measures of industry 4.0 and circular economy: An automotive
case. Journal of Cleaner Production. 254. p.120112.
Online:
Electric car market statistics. 2021 [Online] Available through
<https://www.nextgreencar.com/electric-cars/statistics/>
Reddish S., 2021. Which country has the most Electric Vehicles [Online] Available through
<https://www.chargeandrecharge.co.uk/which-country-has-the-most-electric-vehicles>
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