The intersection of electric vehicles and the oil industry has become an increasingly common theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 examinations. Based on analysis of past papers and current trends, this topic has appeared in various forms over the past two years, particularly in questions about environmental protection, technological advancement, and economic impacts. Let’s examine one of the most representative questions that has appeared in recent IELTS tests.
Analysis of Topic and Question Type
Some people believe that the increasing adoption of electric vehicles will significantly reduce oil consumption and negatively impact the oil industry. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
This question type requires candidates to present their opinion on the relationship between impact of electric vehicles on the global oil market. It’s crucial to take a clear position and support it with relevant examples and explanations.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8.5)
The rapid proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) has sparked debate about their potential impact on the oil industry, and I strongly agree that increased EV adoption will substantially reduce oil consumption and create significant challenges for the petroleum sector.
The primary reason for this impact lies in the transportation sector’s heavy reliance on oil products. Currently, vehicles powered by internal combustion engines account for approximately 60% of global oil consumption. As impact of electric vehicle adoption on global oil markets continues to grow, this dependency will naturally decrease. For instance, Norway, where EVs comprise over 50% of new car sales, has already reported a notable decline in petroleum demand.
Moreover, technological advancements and government policies are accelerating this transition. Many countries have announced plans to phase out traditional vehicles, similar to how impact of renewable energy on job growth has transformed the energy sector. China, the world’s largest automotive market, aims to ban fossil fuel vehicles by 2035, while several European nations have set even earlier deadlines.
However, this transformation will not occur overnight. The oil industry still maintains significant influence in developing regions where EV infrastructure remains limited. Additionally, oil products are used in various other industries, ensuring some level of continued demand.
Looking forward, the oil industry must adapt to survive, possibly by diversifying into renewable energy or other sustainable technologies. This adaptation is crucial as impact of electric vehicles on traditional car manufacturing industries continues to reshape the automotive sector.
Key Vocabulary from Band 8.5 Essay
- proliferation (n) /prəˌlɪf.əˈreɪ.ʃən/ – rapid increase
- substantial (adj) /səbˈstæn.ʃəl/ – considerable in amount
- internal combustion engine (n) /ɪnˈtɜː.nəl kəmˈbʌs.tʃən ˈen.dʒɪn/ – traditional car engine
- phase out (phr.v) /feɪz aʊt/ – gradually stop using
- infrastructure (n) /ˈɪn.frəˌstrʌk.tʃər/ – basic physical systems of a country
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6.5)
In my opinion, I agree that electric cars will affect the oil industry badly. This is happening because more people are buying electric vehicles instead of normal cars.
Firstly, when people use electric cars, they don’t need to buy petrol or diesel anymore. This means oil companies will sell less oil. For example, in my country, many taxi companies are now using electric cars, so they don’t buy fuel anymore. This shows how should governments introduce incentives for electric car adoption can change things.
Secondly, governments are making rules to stop pollution. They want people to buy electric cars and stop using petrol cars. This makes the problem bigger for oil companies because they will lose more customers in the future.
However, oil is still important for other things like making plastic and running factories. Also, in poor countries, people cannot buy electric cars because they are expensive. So oil companies will still have some business.
In conclusion, I think electric cars will definitely hurt the oil industry, but the change will happen slowly, not quickly.
Conclusion and Practice Suggestions
These sample essays demonstrate different approaches to discussing the impact of electric vehicles on the oil industry. For practice, try writing your own essay addressing similar topics such as:
- The role of government subsidies in promoting electric vehicle adoption
- The environmental impact of transitioning from oil-based vehicles to electric ones
- The economic consequences of declining oil demand in oil-producing countries
Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion.