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Electric Vehicles, All sides

Engines to electric motors, Fuels to batteries, Is it the time for us to change our car’s fuel source by 2021?

Image via Unsplash

Electric cars or Electric vehicles aka (EV) run on batteries “energy stored in batteries”, Electric vehicles uses one or more than one electric motors or traction motors for driving force. Unlike those conventional vehicles, BEV’s (Battery Electric Vehicles) can be driven without any gasoline or diesel, they generate power from batteries fitted inside. However, all electric cars do not work the same way!

Varieties of EV

(HEV’s) Hybrid Electric Vehicle is powered by both electricity and fuel, it starts by using electric power and runs at a specific speed limit but as the load increases the internal computer automatically shifts it to petrol or diesel depending on fuel system. Electric energy in HEV’s is produced through its own braking system called [regenerative braking system] while braking it creates heat and store energy in batteries.

Hyundai Ionic hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid and Toyota Prius Prime Hybrid are the finest examples of Hybrid Electric Vehicles.

(PHEVs) Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles comes with plug-in charging feature PHEVs can be recharged by plugging into an external source electricity. It can travel decent distances without using the internal combustion engine (ICE), PHEV out flow from car’s tailpipe to generators powering electricity grid.

Best-selling models of PHEVs are Mitsubishi Outlander P-HEV, Chevrolet Volt Family and BMW 330e.

(BEVs) Battery Electric Vehicles are complete electric cars without having any exhaust pipe, combustion engine and fuel tank. BEVs traveling range (miles) depends on the model, with plus 65 kilowatt hours Lithium ion battery BEVs are easy to charge/ fast charge wherever possible.

Jaguar I-Pace, Audi E-Tron and Tesla Model S are market leaders of fully electric vehicles.

Battery electric cars has been dominating the market for many years grabbing customer’s attention and growth in purchases:

Statistics from statista.com

In 2018 almost 3.3 million battery electric vehicles were in operation all over the world, the reason behind the growing purchase rate of BEVs is “less maintenance and less cost” ownership of electric vehicle will not cost much comparably to internal combustion engine.

Why do I switch to EVs?

Switching to EV is more than individual benefits, EVs lower emissions and save a lot of money, charging instead of fueling offers some profit in this case, which you can never get from ICEs. Electric cars response very quick, fast pick up acceleration and have a really good torque.

There are great names who has produced some quality models in last few years, and American electric car company Tesla Inc. is leading the market:

Statistics via statista

Climate view on EVs

Electric cars are not just attractive but beneficial too, with all smart features EVs are also harmless for environment, they radiate less air pollutants and greenhouse gases than a conventional car. EVs considered to be the most clean and green production from manufacturers.

With no exhaust silencers it is impossible to generate air pollutants, EV radiates no carbon dioxide while driving, in simple words use of EVs will result in clean and green streets all over the city.

Apart from this, it is for sure that covid-19 has already filtered climate in past months, such as lockdowns, and decrease in production of many major industries, the quality of air has ameliorated and same goes with water pollution which has also decreased this year, So it might be the perfect time for many firms to come up with the best of both worlds.

Pros and cons of EVs

Aside from benefits there are some disadvantages of electric vehicles as well, shorter range than fuel-powered cars, can be very costly if the battery fails, time taking while recharging the batteries, and they are usually expensive typically for a conventional car owner. PROS – the top of the list is that EVs are environmental friendly, “cheap” in sense of recharging batteries rather than filling the tank, Almost maintenance free – less maintenance required than gas-powered car, DC charging facility, Soundless drive comparably to conventional vehicles and at many routes, there are special lanes on highways for electric vehicles.

EVs in Pakistan

Similarly with fast growth of Electric vehicles globally, the global electric vehicle market is expected to reach 802.81 billion dollars by the end of 2027. Meanwhile in Pakistan EV technology counted less than 10% in all cities, but the country has plans to bring 30% of electric vehicles in use on roads by 2030,

Owning an electric vehicle in Pakistan can also be risky in many ways. The majority of people drive conventional cars because the country has full services for these cars, there are number of (HEVs) Hybrid electric vehicle users, driving Toyota Prius, Toyota Aqua and Honda Vezel. At the end of the year 2019 BMW launched its full electric car in Pakistan for the first time ever, around 95 lac rupees, costs an arm and a leg for residents and also it didn’t get any fame around natives.

Image via unsplash.com

EV freaks can face some major troubles in Pakistan as for example Lack of charging stations, fully electric vehicle in low budget, stressful road trips because of “if batteries depletes” and it’s heavy cost if batteries fail at some point, keeping rising petroleum prices in mind public would love to switch on EV technology as SAIC motors are launching an affordable MG ZS electric vehicle this year in Pakistan but the care services won’t be pleasing. The government has to work on EV infrastructures and invest in charging stations around all cities.

Besides all comfort seating, 5 star features and top notch technology a car driver need essentials and facilities for his car, I myself would love to have Porsche Taycan for fun and status but what about its necessities? Which my homeland is unable to provide at the moment. But the govt. has got your back if you step back from full electric vehicles and set eyes on Hybrid technology.

Will 2021 is going to be the year where people worldwide will be freed from noisy engines?

[meerhummal]

No Fans, Empty Stands

Fan’s encouragement affects player performances, every sport is complete with fans, who really make sports mean something

Image via Unsplash

Having an enormous crowd in your support will obviously set you on fire, that’s how important fans are to numerous sports. The noise they create the atmosphere they generate and the coordinated mass mentality of them sometimes is unbelievable, Fans are really crucial part to a football team as Scottish Jock Stein said “Football without fans is noting” is actually a term where a number of players agree with.

Existence of fans change football stadiums into magical places to make the heart sour and also transforms the game. Their engagement, banners, chants, anthems, slogans and reactions to the game truly motivates athletes, In fact players are always prepared to present their best versions in front of them, during a 90 minutes game many ups and downs pass through but fans keep on applauding players in that time, sometimes when the home team is leading and dominating the game it’s really enjoyable for players who try to maintain that rhythm and keep pushing hard to win the game, However if sometimes you’ve conceded a goal and gone behind thinking of a comeback; this is where the fans can raise you up.

A study by the times has shown that home teams score more goals rather than away teams (approximately 37% more) because the home fans expects them to go out and attack and players do fulfil their expectations, Also noted that the referee will probably take decisions in favor of the team who has got a huge and loud crowd backing them. Players always try to find inventive ideas to entertain the audience by showing their agility, magical footwork, spectacular finishing and also “signature moves” after scoring a goal and this is how beautiful football is with fans in the stands.

In an imaginary world the thought is almost impossible for football lovers to watch or play football without fans in a stadium, Meanwhile football associations all around the world had suspended footballing events because of the spread of coronavirus pandemic in Mid-March of 2020, In England all Premier League, EFL, WSL, FAW football and European leagues were postponed till April, in the view of fact that matches played in February and March assisted the spread of COVID-19 as more people contracted coronavirus while attending football matches in stadiums this resulted rise in cases and deaths which later announced utmost caution ought to be applied on reopening of football events, it wasn’t only a peril for fans but players as well in the stadium.

Following stats display the confirmed cases by number of matches played in March:

How pandemic affected football

After a severe first spell of covid-19 football was set to restart in June and all the matches according to the rules and restrictions would be played behind closed doors. It was not what everyone needed but many clubs had already suffered enough financial crisis, a restart was must needed for them but the fans were only bounded to screens and live commentaries to enjoy the relaunch of football.

Coronavirus entirely changed football as new on-pitch rules were applied to the resumption such as 5 substitutions during 90 minutes, no handshakes neither hugs before and after the game, no spitting anywhere, football being sanitized and players weren’t allowed to exchange jerseys after 90 minutes. That’s not it! Rules were also applied off the pitch for players and management like social distancing inside dressing rooms and on benches, sitting in the kit-rooms and on the benches with facemasks on, pre-game and post-match interviews were managed with pyle microphone pole, minimize close contact between all people during pre-match warm-ups and less interaction with match officials and away team players after the game.

It made viewers feel something tedious about the game; things were missing in those 90 minutes, goal celebrations were limited to smiles, usual fist or elbow bumps, fingers pointing sky, knee slides and thumbs-up from face masked substitutes to whoop it up.

Playing without Fans

Image via Las Angeles Times

Crowdless games make you feel like watching training or a showmatch in ground with clear noises of players interacting and guiding each other though “Performing” might be difficult for lads without hearing the roar of thousand fans on first whistle and no one in stands to boost player’s energy in last quarter of the game they have to be self-motivated throughout the game. Football pundits also claim that dearth of fans in stadium might affect player’s focus and even efforts during the game, but yet there are few benefits for players while having no fans around them such as less fear of lose mainly playing in front of public which might help them to play a bit relax because those hundreds of eyes won’t be watching them, it is also helpful for defenders if their team conceded a goal because of a tactical mistake.

The atmosphere when players walk out of the tunnel hanging high-fives of fans for players, emerging colorful smoke and flares in stands, raining splashing beer when goal has been scored, hugging strangers in jollity, jumping on seats, exchanging crisp high-fives between fans was absent somewhere in that adversity. As Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud told ESPN. "It is really strange at first, and then you try to get used to it. It has less charm to play with no fans. Also, the pitch feels much bigger with no fans in the stadium! It is crazy to say because it is the same pitch, but it does feel bigger! But at least the managers are happy because now we can hear easily everything they tell us, even when they don't shout!

It was actually difficult to judge how good the game was with no noise you dribble pass two defenders and produce a wonderful pass, hit the crossbar or score a stunner but it feels like nothing happened! An awkward silence all over the stadium and this is the moment where you realize how vital the presence of fans is.

Watching El Clasico, London derbies, Merseyside derby, rivalries and Champions league football without fans nearly made football lovers cry, recently witnessing the GOAT’s of football Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo competing each other in Champions league after a long period since CR7 left Spanish football (La Liga) was held behind closed doors as well.

Virtual Crowd

Image via gettyimages

After attempts of bringing fans back the governing bodies realized it is a pure danger of contracting the virus again. Here! The idea of fake fans (virtual crowd) was brought in, the art of virtual crowd was landed to upgrade watching experiences for viewers watching from screens and sound option with slogans and continuous buzzing noise which might work for players too.

The British and German broadcasters were first to try it out, the auto made reactions at the key moments of match was just a try to give it an original feel. Fan’s faces on the cardboard cut outs were also previewed, fans were allowed to purchase cardboards and upload their pictures on it through this the stands were filled once again but this time with immobilized fans.

Financial crisis of Football Clubs

Every day passed without fans this season football leagues lost more than a hundred millions resulting damage to both local and national economy, this also affects the employment prospect as hundred thousand plus employer’s duties rely on matchday activities.

Financial troubles to any club is a worst nightmare for its supporters. Due to the outbreak fans weren’t allowed to visit stadiums which clarifies that no amount earned through parking tickets, food and merchandise, additionally no revenue generated from inside stadium sponsorships.

Top flight football club Arsenal has also struggled monetarily firing around 150 staff members during the hard time of pandemic the club was able to pull through and continue because of the sponsorships they had, and many other big names as well handle it with pay cuts of player’s salary.

Houseful stadiums again?

Image via ecnmy.org

After all tough periods in nine months, players and viewers were desperate to see spectators coming back in the stands to cheer respective teams, it means alike victory for government’s fight against coronavirus, although due to the restrictions all football clubs weren’t allowed to bring fans back but some major teams were fortunate enough to have loving fans back.

According to the orders only 2000 spectators were allowed to attend games inside of stadiums, which was on “first come, first served” criteria, covering more than a half of the capacity of stadium.

Fans still have to obey the rules given by the government: Facemasks must be worn while whirling around but not on seats, No away team supporters were allowed, Sanitizing at stations inside the ground, Singing and chanting was allowed but no physical contact, fans cannot confront, social distancing while sitting on seats and strict stewards to look after the fans whoever breaks any rule will be thrown out.

This is for sure the beginning to fill the stands with crowd and catch the joy back once again, at least now when the ball hits the post the crowd reactions will be at that moment, not after few seconds like virtual technology used to have. Through all this situations one thing displayed clearly that how much you train or build yourself, “You still need cheers or people backing you to hit the stage with an astonishing performance”.