What are Internal combustion engines In the internal

What are Internal combustion engines? • In the internal combustion engines of the cars, energy is usually released after air and fuel are mixed. The mixing of the two components occurs in the combustion chamber. Additionally, the process is exothermic and results in the creation of pressurized gas as well. Moreover, the mixture is ignited and burnt entirely in the engine. The energy released in the process is often transformed into work. In the engine, there is usually a moving piston and a fixed cylinder.

Components of ICE

ICE Applications • Road vehicles (scooter, cars and buses) • Aircraft • Locomotive • Bull-dozer • Several industrial operation • Cinemas

Carbon Monoxide • One of the pollutants of the internal combustion engine is carbon monoxide. This is gas primarily occurs from the exhaust of vehicles due to the incomplete combustion process. Out of the total carbon monoxide emission by cars, about 95% happens in the urban areas ("Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: What is it? ", 2018). CO has detrimental effects on human health. For instance, when the gas combines with hemoglobin in the red blood cells, it impairs the normal functioning process of the RBCs. This means that oxygen will not be adequately transported in the body. In severe cases, the gas can cause death if it is in a substantial amount. Another pollutant is the hydrocarbon. Fuels are often made up of several hydrocarbons.

Effect of carbon dioxide on the body

Acid Rain • The acidic rain may damage the plants and many aquatic animals. Again, the acidic rain may corrode the rooftops on numerous houses and commercial buildings ("Effects of Acid Rain | US EPA", 2018). High temperatures in the ICEs also causes the production of ozone (O 3). Ozone leads to coughing, shortness of breath and chest pain. Another significant gas produced in the combustion chamber is carbon dioxide. The unconsumed CO can also react with atmospheric oxygen to form carbon dioxide. Plants usually regulate the CO 2 concentration in the atmosphere.

Noise pollution • Another effect of ICEs includes noise pollution. The fourstroke process in many cars produces a lot of noise since the process occurs very fast. In some vehicles, the noise is deafening such that one has to close their ears to prevent them from becoming damaged. Besides air pollution, the internal combustion engines of cars also produce worn out parts of the engines like rubber items and oil which also pollute the environment. Many countries like Italy have legislation that recommends the use of alternative fuels for vehicles ("Italy: New Legislation on Alternative Fuels in Force | Global Legal Monitor", 2018). For example, biodiesel is used as an alternative to diesel in the compression ignition engines.

Vehicle Noise. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), noise is second only to air pollution in the impact it has on health. It is a major cause, not only of hearing loss, but also of heart disease, learning problems in children and sleep disturbance.

• In conclusion, the internal combustion engine includes the spark and compression ignition engines that use gasoline and diesel respectively. The ICEs cannot operate without fuel. Additionally, in the presence of fuel, the internal combustion engines undergo a four-stroke process that produces several gaseous products. The produced products include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and ozone. All of the products are pollutants that hurt humans, plants, aquatic animals, and also pollute the air. The urban cities are the most affected in regards pollution. • Alternative methods like the use of biofuel or hybrid cars can help in controlling the pollution effects ("Transport and sustainability", 2018). Moreover, electric vehicles are also being manufactured so that the pollution can be controlled. In both the hybrid and electric cars, the noise pollution that originates from the engine is usually absent. The remedies that have been employed in several countries in regards to the effect of ICEs have reduced pollution in many urban cities. Again, the rate of the global warming effect has also been reduced

Electric Vehicles The transition from internal combustion vehicles to electric vehicles

Basic Design of a EV • Transmission • Motor • Controller • Battery

Electricity Generation by Fuel Type in 2009 and 2012 • • Improvements directly benefit electric vehicles Emissions from charging an electric vehicle on the grid are reduced

Manufacturing of Batteries Brines containing Lithium Ion Nickel Mine

Overall Emissions Comparison • Manufacturing of electric vehicles produce more grams of carbon dioxide per mile • Operation of electric vehicles produce significantly less grams of carbon dioxide per mile Nealer, R. , Reichmuth, D. , & Anair, D. (2015). Cleaner Cars from Cradle to Grave: How Electric Cars Beat Gasoline Cars on Lifetime Global Warming Emissions. UCS.

How Electric Cars are better than Cars with ICE’s ● Electric cars have zero tail pipe emissions which means no Nitrogen Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Sulfur Dioxide and Greenhouse gases are being released into our environment. According to the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, electric cars emit approximately 66% less carbon dioxide compared to the Cars with ICE’s. And this will help in reducing the depletion of ozone layer caused by greenhouse gases. ● Electric cars are also very good for the water bodies around the world. As they don’t require any oil or petroleum to operate, there will be fewer spills and therefore no water bodies will be contaminated with these fossil fuels. ● As compared to the loud and noisy cars with ICE’s, electric are very quiet from both inside and outside. This plays a significant role in lowering the noise pollution. Recall that Noise pollution is second only to air pollution in the impact it has on health. ● Electric cars make our environment healthy and if our environment is healthy, we can be safe from diseases like skin cancer, lung cancer and many more.

Financial Benefits of Electric Vehicles ● According to the article Public Knowledge of Plug-in Electric Vehicles, the biggest misperception people have regarding the cost of electric vehicles, is about its maintenance costs. ● First of all electric cars don’t need much components to operate. For example motors in electric cars have only one moving part whereas engines in ICV’s contain dozen. ● Items that do not need to be replaced in electric vehicles include oil, fan belts, air filters, timing belts, head gaskets, cylinder heads and spark plugs. ● Electric cars have regenerative brakes which also increase the life of the brakes. ● When a lot of components are not there or even if they are, they have a long life, it will significantly reduce the maintenance cost. ● The estimated cost needed to power an electric vehicle is about one third of the cost of gasoline.

Other Benefits of Electric Cars ● They are cheaper to run than ICV’s. According to the article posted by Ergon Energy, the electricity to charge an EV works out around a third as much per kilometer as buying petrol for the same vehicle. ● Electric cars are safer than ICV’s. According to an article written by Eric Schmidt, electric cars have a chance to catch fire 80% less than that of ICV’s. ● One doesn’t have to go to gas station to fuel it. It can be charged at home. ● The sales of electric cars is increasing exponentially and more people are willing to buy it because of its high performance.

Prices of electric cars in upcoming years