Image Credits: flickr
The pollution from ICE vehicles is not confined to the emissions from their tailpipes. A substantial amount of air pollution is generated by the process of oil extraction, refining into fuel, and transferring it to gas stations. These are referred to as well-to-wheel or upstream emissions. Even if current ICE producers have reduced emissions of carbon dioxide, the production process still has a detrimental environmental impact.
EV battery manufacture also generates upstream emissions. The production of EVs can, in fact, be more environmentally-friendly than ICEs. However, electric cars remain the cleanest mobility choice, since they are far more sustainable throughout their life cycle. Driving compensates for their greater manufacturing emissions by using electricity as fuel. On average, an EV produces half of the emissions of a conventional vehicle in its lifetime and is fully sustainable. EVs are an essential step towards sustainable mobility as a cleaner alternative.
Below are 8 main reasons why EVs might be beneficial to the environment
Image Credits: flickr
1. EVs have zero tailpipe emissions.
As they emit no polluting agents, fully electric vehicles do not require a tailpipe. Traditional engines burn gasoline or diesel to produce energy at the expense of hazardous carbon emissions. EV batteries, on the other hand, produce no emissions. The lithium-ion battery is the most often used type of battery in EVs. These batteries may be discharged and recharged repeatedly without adding to air pollution.
2. The EV contributes less pollution than ICE vehicles even when fossil fuels are used
Many Electric charging stations use renewable energy to charge electric vehicles. However, others still rely on coal-fired power stations and similar types of energy regarded to be environmentally damaging. EV charges may leave a larger carbon footprint in countries that primarily use coal, petroleum or natural gas for energy. However, they still lead to lower emissions in general, even if they are coal-fired. The greenhouse gas emissions from electric car use in coal-reliant countries such as China have fallen by 20%. Clean energy sources allow EVs to be even green for countries that rely less on fossil fuels
Image Credits: Volkswagen
3. The production of EV batteries are turning greener.
EVs aren't one of the major reason of the air pollution on the road, but they can be damaging if they are recklessly produced. Almost all EV emissions are wheel-to-wheel generating emissions during the production process of the battery. EVs are still a modern technology, which makes greater carbon footprints As the industry standards are inconsistent with the energy resources utilised to produce batteries. But it is starting to shift already. The carbon footprint of today's EV batteries is 2 to 3 times lower than 2 years ago, and is increasing cleaner. EV producers establish their battery suppliers guidelines. For example, they demand suppliers to use exclusively renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, during production. These sources can offer the vast quantity of energy required to manufacture EV batteries while emitting no hazardous emissions. Tesla, for example, intends to produce its batteries using only renewable energy.
4. ICE automobiles emit pollution on a constant basis.
EVs do not contribute to air pollution after they are built, with the exception of the limited usage of coal-fueled charging stations. The majority of emissions are generated during the battery manufacturing process. This means that an EV's total emissions may be measured before it even starts up for the first time. In contrast, when their motors are on, ICE vehicles emit carbon dioxide emissions. A passenger vehicle driven by petrol generates between 5 and 6 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year on average.
The Union of Concerned Scientists study indicated that ICE emissions in only 6-18 months of operations exceed the wheel-to-wheel emissions of EVs. Emissions continue to be produced at large volumes by millions of ICE vehicles globally. Indefinitely for an electric vehicle powered by renewable energy such alternatives are to maintain a neutral carbon footprint
5. EV makers are using materials that are environmentally beneficial.
A functional, lightweight car is one of the key hurdles faced by EV producers. Lighter electric vehicles with a great range and lower carbon footprint make it challenging to achieve this with existing materials. But recycled and organic substances are now similar to traditional ones. They are easy, green, sturdy, and durable. They are lightweight. For tiny components, many traditional manufacturers use recycled materials, but they don't currently use them for the car frame. In order to develop lighter, more efficient vehicles, EV companies use and improve eco friendly materials.
The only advantage of recycling and organic materials is that weight reduction is healthier for the environment as well. It is unsustainable to use new materials, such as metals and plastics, and leads to pollution. All-natural or recycled materials minimise the impact on the environment during and after the production process of EV.
Image Credits: flickr
6. Charging at night results in cleaner energy
With the total consumption of energy lower during the evenings, wind generation is the most important part of the energy mix. Thus, the charge at night leads to the devoration of better renewable energy by electric automobiles. It also serves as a guarantor for electrical stabilisation.
7. Noise pollution curtailing
Electric motors are often quite silent and therefore less noise pollution, especially compared with ICE vehicles and exhaust systems. While gas and diesel cars can use muffling devices as silencing equipment to reduce noise, mufflers are generally noisier than the stock fittings.
8. Reduced Particulates
Even new ICE automobiles produce significant levels of health-harming polluting particulates. The release of these particles can have serious health repercussions, including asthma, heart attacks, cancer, and a variety of other disorders. Meanwhile, electric vehicles do not directly generate these pollutants into the street air.