Mahboobin 10:00
R01
ETHICAL DILEMMAS OF ELECTRIC CAR BATTERIES
Jacob Bowley (jwb71@pitt.edu)
ELECTRIC CARS
Lithium-ion Batteries
What Are They?
The main concern for electric cars is the efficiency and
effectiveness of the batteries. The Automotive Energy Supply
Corporation is one of the largest producers of lithium-ion
automotive electric batteries. A reputable website dedicated
to the latest electric vehicle knowledge, “EV Obsession”,
writes, “Lithium-ion batteries are the clear EV battery
technology winner today, as they are being used in the vast
majority of electric vehicles on the market today” [3]. In the
future, other batteries may work better but lithium-ion
batteries are used most frequently today. These batteries face
issues such as low charge capacity, short battery life, long
charge time, and limited sustainability.
Electric vehicles are vehicles that run entirely on electric
power. According the U.S. Department of Energy, these
vehicles have several advantages over vehicles with an
internal combustion engine [1]. Electric cars use an electric
motor instead of a gasoline engine. A controller connects the
motor to the power source. Rechargeable batteries power this
motor instead of gasoline. Both AC and DC motors are used
in electric car and various types of batteries are used by these
cars including lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion batteries.
Multiple charging methods can help recharge the batteries [2].
Overall, electric cars are a relatively new technology and in
the future much more work will help make them even more
efficient.
THE SCENARIO
The Ethical Dilemma
Advantages
Electric cars have significant and substantial benefits as
opposed to traditional, gas-powered cars. A figure from the
U.S. Department of Energy estimates that average electric
vehicles, “convert 59-62% of the electrical energy from the
grid to power at the wheels—conventional gasoline vehicles
only convert about 17-21% of the energy stored in gasoline to
power at the wheels” [1]. Also, electric cars provide
environmental and energy benefits. The cars emit no
pollution, however the plants that produce electricity can emit
some pollution unless they are nuclear, solar, or hydro
powered [1]. The combined environmental, energy, and
economic benefits of electric vehicles make them an
appealing option of transportation and a valuable technology.
Disadvantages
Although electric vehicles have great benefits, there are
some drawbacks. The most serious is that these cars cannot
always travel as far gas-powered cars when fully charged.
Electric vehicles can only travel about 100 or 200 miles before
running out of charge, whereas gasoline vehicles can go well
over 300 miles with a full tank [1]. Even worse, a full
recharge of a battery could take hours, leaving the cars out of
commission for a while. Current electric cars are not good for
long distance journeys [2]. Purchase price of these cars is
higher than gasoline cars but the upkeep costs are similar. As
the technology improves in terms of battery life, cost, and
recharge time, electric cars will be have major benefits
outweighing the harms.
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering 1
2014-10-28
The Automotive Energy Supply Corporation continues to
develop new batteries and work on new technology to make
battery powered electric vehicles viable in the future. If I
worked at this company on the battery design team I could be
expected to create and test new batteries. A possible scenario
that could involve ethics is a boss instructing me to lie about
results of tests in order to make the batteries more appealing
to car manufacturers. Falsified or incomplete reports of the
new batteries could be necessary if other companies created
better batteries or maybe a car company contracted us to
create a specific battery. The concept of lying about data
proves to be a tricky ethical dilemma. Analysis of multiple
case studies and codes of ethics can help determine whether
lying about new batteries is unethical. One specific dilemma
that I could face as an engineer would be that a boss asks me
to forge tests results of the car battery life in order to meet the
requirements of a contract the AESC has with a car company.
Possible Solutions
When faced with an order from a direct superior to lie,
disobeying this order can be difficult. The famous 1961
“Milgram Experiment” in which psychologists determined
how easily people would follow orders from an authority
figure proved that many people are unlikely to disobey a
superior. This experiment made test subjects obey unethical
commands involving “hurting” another person (no one was
actually hurt). The participants obeyed even if they did not
feel comfortable with these actions simply because the person
instructing them seemed like a credible authority figure [4].
The most obvious and simple solution to this dilemma is to lie
about test results or skew the results to make them meet the
Jacob Bowley
specifications of the contract. The other option is to disobey
my boss and present the issue to someone higher in command.
The AESC is a large corporation and explaining the situation
to someone with more influence could perhaps lead to a better
outcome. This person can approach my boss and reprimand
them if they disagree with his decision. However, this person
may agree with my boss and instruct me to follow his orders
and lie to the car company. At this point the last option is to
go directly to the car company and explain to them that the
new battery the AESC team designed will not meet their
specifications. These three options all have repercussions and
choosing one of these options is no easy task. Multiple case
studies dealing with lying can provide insight about what is
the ethical choice to make.
Case Study 3
In this scenario, a geotechnical consulting firm is
supposed to deliver information to a client about a specific
site they plan to build on. The leader of the project visits the
site to ensure that proper testing has been done but upon close
inspection it would appear that this particular area was not
properly tested. A report is due to his client in a few days and
there may not be time to complete the testing of the site [7].
This case study differs from the other two studies because
now the person making the choice is in charge and has no one
to obey or guide him. Lying to the client about the testing
would save his reputation and earn the company money.
However, telling the client the truth may result in the loss of
the contract. In all of these case studies there are many factors
to consider.
Case Study 1
Lying about research and testing is a common ethical
dilemma. An incident involving the testing of a software
program deals with the specific issue if lying about product
testing. A company delivered a faulty program to the Federal
Aviation Agency in order to meet a deadline and then later
fixed the program unbeknownst to the FAA [5]. On one hand,
the program could have injured people because an error in the
flight simulation could translate to a fatal accident in the air.
On the other hand, a lost contract with the government would
seriously harm the large corporation resulting in the loss of
jobs. The company had faith that they would not endanger
any lives before the software patch so come members of the
company felt this decision was ethically acceptable.
However, some members felt uncomfortable giving the
government faulty software.
Personal Consequences
I personally could face financial and professional
consequences because of my actions. Obeying the leader of
the battery design team would keep me in good standing with
my boss, but if he did not seek corporate approval for this then
I could get in trouble with higher bosses if they found out
about the fake test results. If corporate also supported the idea
of lying about the battery life to the car company then I could
continue to follow orders and secure my job. Yet disobeying
a command from a boss at the higher, corporate level could
very likely resulting in termination of my job. Either way,
disobeying the instructions of a leader can have negative
repercussions with my job.
Automotive Energy Supply Corporation Consequences
Case Study 2
The AESC could face serious repercussions by lying to a
client. A breach of contract is a legal violation and the client
company could sue the AESC for this contract breach. This
outcome would harm the company financially and
professionally. Although failing to complete the contract
would still hurt the company financially and professionally.
Creating fake test results to meet the contract specifications
could potentially be unnoticed by the car company and the
AESC would benefit from the completion of the contract.
A medical company has developed a new device that has
a low risk to the users of the device. Before finishing the
product, the members of the team decide to approve the new
device. One member of the team doesn’t understand how the
design was finalized so quickly. However, the leader of the
team has significant testing and documentation that seems to
verify that the device is safe and beneficial for people to use.
The skeptical member of the team consults the others and they
all agree that the product is finished [6]. Product malfunctions
could injure people using the device. Still, this device is
deemed “low-risk” because it is “non-invasive” and “not life
supporting” [6]. The design team was already behind
schedule and had previously been impeded by technical
issues. The reputations of all design team members, as well
as the company, was at stake with the completion of the
project. Yet if the device fails, the integrity of the company
would be ruined and serious repercussions could potentially
affect and ruin the company. Again, a company decided to lie
and fabricate results in order to meet a deadline.
CODES OF ETHICS
National Society of Professional Engineers
The NSPE code of ethics provides some guidance about
what is the ethical choice in this dilemma. One principle in
their code is to remain honest. Under the “Professional
Obligations” section of their code the NSPE writes,
“Engineers shall acknowledge their errors and shall not distort
or alter the facts” [8]. In this scenario, the boss is asking the
team to distort and alter facts, a clear violation of this code of
ethics. An engineer following the NSPE code of ethics would
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Jacob Bowley
disobey the boss and refuse to lie to the client. Another
fundamental canon of the NSPE code of ethics is to “Avoid
deceptive acts” [8]. Again, lying about the battery life and
testing is a deceptive act and therefore a violation of the code
of ethics.
Ethics in General
Brain McLaren, an author, speaker, activist, and public
theologian, writes in his article, “The Ethical Responsibility
of Engineers - and the Rest of Us Too” about the loyalty of
those in a corporate structure. He explains, “Employees are
loyal to their employers, who are in turn loyal to owners or
shareholders, who demand rising share prices and
corresponding short-term profits, quarter after quarter” and
encourages people to focus on the bigger picture of ethical
issues [12]. Looking out for society as a whole and trying to
do things good for society is a valid concern and the batteries
in electric cars could have bigger social effects than simply
lying to a company. Social cars can help reduce pollution and
energy use, therefore engineers should attempt to create the
best products they can, even it means telling to the truth and
potentially losing a major client.
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
The American Institute of Chemical Engineers has a code
of ethics as well that specifically mentions truth and honesty.
The AIChE promotes that members shall be, “honest and
impartial with their…clients, and the public” [9]. A separate
point in the code demands members, “Issue statements or
present information only in an objective and truthful manner”
[9]. Again, as with the NSPE, lying about test result to the
client is a major violation of the code of ethics. While
working with a client, lying about information is without a
doubt an unethical action. Creating batteries that do not meet
the car companies’ specifications and then forging data to
deceive them is not acceptable according to both the NSPE
and AIChE codes of ethics.
CONCLUSION
Making a Decision
Article from The Guardian
After considering all sources, I would probably seek
guidance and approval from someone higher in the
corporation. Outright lying to the car company is a clear
violation of the codes of ethics of both the NSPE and the
AIChE. The multiple case studies involving fake data and
lying proved to be inconclusive as some of them did not list
what decision was made. Finally, other articles appeared to
condemn lying unless the lie would overall cause more
benefits than harms. Lying to a client about a battery is
unethical in most meanings of the word. Never the less, if my
immediate superior as well as all other members of the AESC
agreed to forge test results and lie to the client, I would
probably lie as well to preserve my job. The problem with
this choice is that if the client finds out about the fake data, I
could end up losing my job regardless if the company is sued
or shutdown. Overall, the choice would be difficult to make
but I am mostly sure this is how I would act.
Abbas El-Zein, an Associate Professor of Environmental
Engineering at the School of Civil Engineering of the
University of Sydney, wrote an article for The Guardian
titled, “As engineers, we must consider the ethical
implications of our work”. In this article he considers ethics
of engineering in the modern world and encourages engineers
as well as other citizens and governments to carefully analyze
the new technologies being produced. El-Zein is primarily
focused with inventions that can affect the world on a large
scale. He mentions ethics as, “mostly technical: how to
design properly, how to not cut corners, how to serve our
clients well” and he seems to expect engineers to be truthful
their clients [10]. He believes that engineers should not only
present new technologies and let others decide what to do with
them, but rather engineers should analyze the consequences
of what they are doing. Part of fair analysis includes being
truthful and honest with information. By designing new
batteries, we are obligated to remain truthful with statistics
about them.
Recommendations
The codes of ethics have been around for a long time and
they define what is right and wrong in the professional sense
of the word. However, sometimes as engineers it is important
to look at the total impact of our work and make sure we are
not doing more harm than good. Not every choice can be
obvious or clear and the whole concept of ethics is that there
are multiple sides to every argument. Although when
discussing lying to someone, the truth is sometimes the best
route. If the company was honest with the client, the client
might respect the company and continue to do business with
them. Even the worst case scenario of losing a major client is
not worth the risk of lying and creating fake information about
these batteries.
Ethics in Psychology
Thomas Plante, Adjunct Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
at Stanford University, asserts in his article “Is Lying for the
Greater Good Ethical?” that there is no clear rules in ethics
about when lying is acceptable. He says, “When it comes to
making ethical decisions we need to balance the pros and cons
of using multiple approaches to ethics in order to figure out
what the right thing to do really is” [11]. Lying about the car
battery may end up benefiting the company but hurting the
client. At the same time, if the client discovers the lies and
fake data, the company could end up being hurt.
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REFERENCES
[1] U.S. Department of Energy. (2014). “All-Electric
Vehicles (EVs).” (website).
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/evtech.shtml
[2] M. Brian. (2002). “How Electric Cars Work.” How Stuff
Works. (online article).
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/electric-car.html
[3] Z. Shahan. (2013). “EV Lithium-Ion Battery List Topped
By LG Chem, Johnson Controls, & AESC.” EVObsession.
(online article.)
http://evobsession.com/ev-lithium-ion-battery-list-toppedby-lg-chem-johnson-controls-aesc/
[4] K. M. White. (2014). “Understanding ‘the shock
machine’.” Journal of Psychology and Theology. (Book
review).
[5] M. McFarland. (2012). “Occidental Engineering.” Online
Ethics Center. (website).
http://www.onlineethics.org/Resources/Cases/OccidentalEng
.aspx
[6] Stanford Biodesign. (2014). “Ethics Case Studies in
Biodesign” (website).
http://biodesign.stanford.edu/bdn/ethicscases/21releasequesti
on.jsp
[7] Texas Tech University. (2014). “Case 1035.” (website).
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/murdoughcenter/products/cases.ph
p
[8] National Society of Professional Engineers. (2007). “Code
of Ethics for Engineers.” (PDF).
http://www.nspe.org/sites/default/files/resources/pdfs/Ethics/
CodeofEthics/Code-2007-July.pdf
[9] American Institute of Chemical Engineers. (2014). “Code
of Ethics.” (website).
http://www.aiche.org/about/code-ethics
[10] A. El-Zein. (2013). “As engineers, we must consider the
ethical implications of our work.” The Guardian. (online
article).
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/05/en
gineering-moral-effects-technology-impact
[11] T. G. Plante. (2011). “Is Lying for the Greater Good
Ethical?” Psychology Today. (online article).
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/do-the-rightthing/201112/is-lying-the-greater-good-ethical
[12] B. D. McLaren. (2010). “The Ethical Responsibility of
Engineers - and the Rest of Us Too.” (online article).
http://brianmclaren.net/archives/blog/the-importance-ofbeing-engineer-1.html
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to offer my special thanks to David Partridge, my
colleague, for proofreading my paper and encouraging me.
Also, I wish to acknowledge the help provided by Julianne
Mcadoo in approving my topic for this paper.
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