Why Electric Vehicles Are a Great Way to Save the Planet

Electric vehicles (EVs) are an eco-friendly mode of transportation. They help save fossil fuels and reduce the emission of toxic gases into the environment. The best part is that EVs also bring down traveling costs significantly, so many organizations are trying to invest in EVs for their fleets.

Unlike gas or diesel-powered vehicles, EVs require electricity to function. You will need a commercial EV charging installation to power your fleet if you hope to make the transition. This article looks at why you should switch to EVs and how electric vehicles are a cleaner alternative to ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles.

What Is an EV?

Unlike conventional vehicles or cars, an electric vehicle uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for power. Like various rechargeable gadgets, an EV requires a charging station. Some EVs may also generate electricity from frictional energy. An EV does not have tailpipes, a fuel tank, or fuel lines. They also do not emit carbon dioxide and other toxic gases. Most vehicles have a lifespan of eight to 20 years.

Types of EVs

• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), also called plug-in EVs, rely entirely on electricity
• Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) work on both gasoline and electricity
• Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) also use electricity and gasoline but are different from PHEVs as they use braking friction to recharge

5 Reasons Why EVs Can Help Save the Planet

Zero Production of Greenhouse Gases

Battery electric vehicles do not have a fuel tank, fuel lines, or tailpipes. On the other hand, ICE vehicles have fuel tanks that produce a considerable fraction of greenhouse gases. These are giving rise to air pollution and global warming.

Unlike ICE vehicles that burn fossil fuels to release carbon emissions, EVs use rechargeable electricity and produce zero emissions. The lithium-ion batteries that support recharge and discharge can be destroyed without causing air pollution.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles Are Still a Greener Alternative

PHEVs and HEVs still use less fossil fuel to function than ICE vehicles. They are still a greener and more eco-friendly option than conventional vehicles. Even the charging stations used to recharge EVs ensure they provide electricity created through renewable forms of energy. It enables the process to be good for the environment from start to finish.

Although some stations use fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, or oil to produce electricity, a rise in awareness is quickly causing them to transition. Countries like China that have not transitioned yet still noticed a considerable decrease of 20%  in greenhouse gas emissions once they switched to EVs as a mode of transportation.

Environmentally-Friendly Battery Production

Electric vehicle production was undoubtedly not eco-friendly in the past; the battery production caused a massive emission of greenhouse gases. Even though electric vehicles are still a newer technology, research has led people to find greener alternatives for battery production.

The energy sources used to create the rechargeable batteries are now powered by renewable forms of energy such as sunlight and wind. The latest EVs have a two to three times lower carbon footprint than older vehicles. Even Tesla, one of the largest EV manufacturers, promises to manufacture batteries with 100% renewable energy batteries.

ICE Vehicles Do Not Stop Pollution

Even if electric vehicles are primarily manufactured using 100% renewable energy, you can at least expect them to stop contributing to global warming and air pollution while they are being used.

On the other hand, ICE vehicles do not stop polluting the environment, and their production, refueling, and combustion all cause carbon emissions. A gasoline engine produces between 5 and 6 metric tons of carbon dioxide in a year. Further studies by the Union of Concerned Scientists deduced that ICE vehicle pollution exceeded an electric vehicle’s pollution rate in just six to 18 months.

Focus On Eco-Friendly EV Body

Using renewable energy sources for recharging and battery production is not enough. An EV is supposed to be lightweight and should have a minimal carbon footprint. Manufacturers have started looking for organic materials and recycled parts to produce robust, lightweight, and environmentally-friendly vehicles.

More and more research is being input into making EVs eco-friendly inside out. Some manufacturers use only recycled parts currently, but they hope to produce entire vehicles with organic materials pretty soon. It will make EV production, battery decomposition, and vehicle running even better for the environment.

Endnote

EVs are the sound of the future. Electric vehicles will only become a more sustainable alternative to conventional vehicles with better research and understanding. Whether you are personally interested in these or hope to invest as a company, you will be participating in making the Earth a greener and cleaner place.

Author:

Catherine Park