Academic Integrity: tutoring, explanations, and feedback — we don’t complete graded work or submit on a student’s behalf.

s Susan has been told that a new electric car will only generate 7 ounces of gas

ID: 352080 • Letter: S

Question

s Susan has been told that a new electric car will only generate 7 ounces of gases (GHG) per mile, but that a standard int the nature of electric cars is such that the new te and electric batte rate 46,000 Ibs. of combustion car is double that at 14 ounces per mile. However, GHG to manufacture and another 9,000 lbs. to recycle. A standard car generates only 30,000 lbs. of GHG to manufacture, and recycling with only 900 lbs. Susan is interested in taking a systems approach that considers the life-cycle impact of her decision. How many be the preferable decision in terms of reducing greenhouse gases? established miles must she drive the electric car for it to is Susan must drive the electric car ay leastmiles for it to be the preferable decision in terms of reducing greenhouse gases. (Round your response to the nearest response to the nearest whole number.)

Explanation / Answer

Let assume Susan drives X miles which is a point of equilibrium between electric cars and ICE (internal combustion engine) cars.

The greenhouse gas emitted by the electric car can be denoted by 7X while ICE car is 14X

The greenhouse gas emitted by manufacturing electric car is 46000*16 ounce of GHG, while an ICE is 30000*16 GHG. (we multiply with 16 to convert lbs to ounces)

The recycle cost in GHG for electric car is 9000*16 and for ICE is 900*16.

Hence total cost of electric car in terms of GHG is

7X + 16*46000 + 16*9000

The total cost of ICE car is

14X + 16*30000 + 16*900

Equating both of them, we get

7X + 16*46000 + 16*9000 = 14X + 16*30000 + 16*900

Or, 16 * (46000 + 9000 – 30000 - 900) = (14-7) X

Or, 16 * 24100 = 7X

Or, X = 3442.85

The answer is 3443 miles (rounding up to nearest whole number). Above this value, the electric car is more beneficial than the internal combustion engine cars.