An Article by Sukhveer Singh, February 01, 2023
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been gaining popularity recently as a solution to climate change due to their environmental benefits. The environmental benefits of EVs are undeniable; they do not emit pollutants, which means they do not contribute to air pollution and have reduced CO2 emissions by more than 177,758,804 kg. Additionally, EVs are more energy efficient than traditional petrol vehicles and have lower maintenance costs.
One of the most significant advantages of EVs is that they run on electric motors, which have fewer parts and are therefore less prone to damage than traditional petrol and diesel engines. This means EVs have lower maintenance costs, saving drivers money in the long run. Additionally, EVs perform better than conventional petrol and diesel vehicles; they are typically lighter and have faster acceleration.
Despite these advantages, it is essential to note that EVs are not a complete solution to climate change. One of the most significant issues with EVs is that much of the electricity used to power them comes from fossil fuels. More than 80% of the energy used to power EVs comes from coal, natural gas, and oil. Even in countries with high levels of renewable energy, such as Germany, most electricity comes from fossil fuels. This means that, while EVs may emit less pollution at the tailpipe, they are still indirectly contributing to climate change by relying on fossil fuel-generated electricity.
Another area for improvement with EVs is the efficiency loss that occurs during transmission and storage. Electricity must be transmitted over long distances and stored in batteries, resulting in energy loss. This means that even if EVs were powered entirely by renewable energy, they would still be less efficient than other forms of transportation, such as public transit.
Battery disposal is another problem that still needs to be fully assessed. EV batteries contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals that can harm the environment if not disposed of properly. The potential for pollution from discarded EV batteries is significant, and it still needs to be clarified how this issue will be addressed.
Finally, there is the issue of pseudo-morality in the use of EVs. The increased production and use of EVs are being used to justify the continuation of private vehicle ownership and usage. This is problematic because even if everyone in the world drove an EV, it would not address the root cause of climate change: the excessive use of fossil fuels. Promoting EVs as a solution to climate change is misleading and a distraction from the real issues that need to be addressed.
In conclusion, EVs have some environmental benefits but are only a partial solution to climate change. The production, transmission and disposal of EV batteries and the reliance on fossil fuels to power them are still significant issues that need to be addressed. Additionally, promoting EVs as a solution to climate change is problematic because it distracts from the real problems that need to be addressed, such as reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and promoting sustainable forms of transportation. Ultimately, EVs are a step in the right direction, but they are not a complete solution to climate change. To truly address climate change, we need to focus on reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, increasing energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable forms of transportation such as walking, biking, and public transit.
