Significance of Engineering

By: Sadab Bahar

Prompted Post #9

            One of the most difficult issues of our time is to find different forms of energy. Currently, the United States gets 81% of its total energy from oil, coal, and natural gas (“The National Academy…”). In other words, the United States uses fossil fuels, a whole lot of fossil fuels. The problem with fossil fuels is it is finite. The world will eventually deplete its source of fossil fuels. Luckily, engineers exist to provide solutions to these types of problems. Elon Musk, one of the most well-known engineers, entrepreneur, and inventor of our time, has created Tesla Motors. Tesla Motors is a car company which exclusively creates electric cars. These cars are the future of travel after the world uses all of its fossil fuels.

            Electric cars will become integrated into our society faster than most people think. The smart phone has forced its way into people’s lives and has left a positive impact. The same can be said for electric cars. A standard electrical vehicle can cost around $30,000 and maybe go up to 100 to 150 miles on one charge (Mims). The miles on one charge is expected to double every year. Recently, Tesla Motors Inc. executive Elon Musk has revealed the creation of a new Tesla vehicle with a battery capable of traveling up to 315 miles on a single charge (Stoll). This is the first time an auto maker as big as Tesla Motors has provided such a large range in an electric vehicle. Elon Musk’s goal is to change the automotive industry in order to produce more electric cars that everyone can own. Musk wants the general population to switch out of the normal gas guzzling vehicles currently being used. Though the issue of electric vehicles has been solved by engineers such as Elon Musk, they lack the popularity gasoline vehicles are more convenient for consumers. However, I am positive in the near future that electric cars will become normal and gasoline vehicles the abnormal

Mims, Christopher. “Why Electric Cars Will Be Here Sooner Than You Think.” Wall Street Journal. Wall Street Journal, 28 Aug. 2016. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.

Stoll, John D. “Tesla Unveils Electric-Car Battery with a 315-Mile Range.” Wall Street Journal. Wall Street Journal, 23 Aug. 2016. Web. 16 Oct. 2016

“The National Academies Presents: What You Need to Know About Energy.” Fossil Fuels – The National Academies. The National Academies, 1 Jan. 2016. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.