Electric cars are more popular than ever before, and for good reason. They’re good for the environment, good for the local air quality and good for the economy. That said, they aren’t without their environmental trade-offs.
There’s always the concern of “what’s the real cost” of using electric cars. The manufacturing process is somewhat environmentally unfriendly, the materials used to make the batteries for electric cars can be mined in a number of different places, and the batteries themselves can be problematic if disposed of improperly.
Although most electric cars are considered environmentally-friendly, you may be surprised to learn that there are some environmental downsides to owning an electric vehicle. Electric cars’ batteries often contain toxic chemicals such as cadmium, and the mining of rare metals required to build these batteries is often environmentally destructive. Although electric cars do produce less pollution than gas-powered cars, they still require power plants to be built, and these power plants produce greenhouse gases.
How electric vehicles help to tackle climate change
Drivers of electric vehicles have recently been in the news as the government in the UK has been trying to push the UK public to buy more electric vehicles.
While the driving benefits of electric vehicles, and the fact that they produce less CO2 than conventional vehicles, are well known, a report from the government reveals that the electric vehicles they are pushing also have some significant indirect benefits to the environment.
Drivers of electric vehicles have recently been in the news as the government in the UK has been trying to push the UK public to buy more electric vehicles.
While the driving benefits of electric vehicles, and the fact that they produce less CO2 than conventional vehicles, are well known, a report from the government reveals that the electric vehicles they are pushing also have some significant indirect benefits to the environment.
Electric vehicles (EVs) emit no greenhouse gases and are the most advanced and environmentally friendly way of getting around. EVs can help tackle climate change and reduce air pollution in several ways
Electric vehicles (EVs) are a great start, as they significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and cut down on carbon emissions.
EVs are one part of reducing transportation emissions
Electric vehicles are quickly gaining popularity in the United States. But how do they stack up to the rest of the transportation sector in terms of emissions? According to the EPA, transportation is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.
Transportation emissions are projected to increase by 52% between 2005 and 2050, even as other sectors decrease their emissions. That’s why it’s so important to find ways to reduce transportation emissions.
Today’s automakers are working overtime to make electric vehicles (EVs) a viable option for both urban and suburban commuters; however, the real prize will be winning over the hearts and minds of families who prefer SUVs and trucks.
Convincing these families to buy EVs is particularly tricky, since SUV drivers often like to use their vehicles for off-roading and towing. Although EVs are more efficient than gas-powered vehicles, they still have a long way before they can be said to be as durable and powerful as an SUV.
Environmental impact of manufacturing
Some of the world’s biggest automakers have stated their intent to release a substantial number of electric cars in the coming years, with some claiming they will be free of fossil fuels by 2040.
However, there is one major environmental impact that nobody is talking about. Electric cars are not manufactured in the same way as traditional gas-powered vehicles. All-electric vehicle (EV) batteries and components still have to be produced.
The process is more sustainable than that of their gas-guzzling counterparts, but it still impacts the environment.
While electric vehicles have virtually no tailpipe emissions, they do have significant emissions associated with their manufacture.
Depending on the source of the power used to charge the vehicle, manufacturing electric vehicles can result in between 9 and 57 percent more greenhouse gas emissions than manufacturing comparable gas-powered vehicles.
In theory, electric cars are the ultimate eco-friendly vehicles. Since they run on electricity, they require no gas, and they don’t produce any pollution.
However, according to a report by UK-based non-profit, electric cars are not as environmentally friendly as the general public may believe them to be.
The report, published by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) argues that the manufacturing processes involved in the production of electric vehicles can be just as harmful to the environment as those involved in the production of gasoline-powered vehicles.
The environmental impact of manufacturing electric vehicles has been a hot topic lately. Recently, The Guardian claimed that Tesla’s electric vehicles contribute more to global warming than a conventional car.
This is due to a large amount of energy that is required to produce the batteries. Even though the batteries are recyclable, the carbon footprint involved in manufacturing them can be significant.
Tesla has attempted to improve the environmental impact of the production of their batteries by building a large-scale factory.
By doing this, they will be able to increase capacity, which will reduce the environmental impact of producing their batteries in the future.
Life cycle assessment of electric cars
The environmental impact of electric cars powered by conventional electricity sources has been a subject of considerable debate in recent years.
Opponents of electric cars argue that the energy needs to manufacture cars, as well as the energy required to build and maintain the electric power grid, make electric cars no greener than cars powered by traditional fuels.
Proponents of electric cars, in contrast, argue that when the entire life cycle of a car is considered, including its creation, maintenance and ultimate disposal, electric cars are cleaner than conventional cars.
Last Words
Electric vehicles (EVs) are often touted as one of the ways to tackle climate change – and they’re one of the most exciting developments in the energy sector in living memory. However, EVs are not for everyone: they currently have a limited range, and their price tag is still high for many people. So, should you really be buying one?
