The automobile is one of the most fast-paced industries since the industrial revolution. Fast forward now, and the rising trend of electric cars has taken a U-turn. According to research, electric cars are far better than gas cars – speaking in terms of the environment. To claim this, take the electricity generation into account.
No doubt, in terms of speed, endurance, and performance an electric car has subtle benefits as compared to gas cars. But what impact does it have on the environment?
Before you set off buying a trending and coolest looking electric car from your paycheck, as a responsible citizen you need to think about its carbon footprint too.
In this article, we will guide you about the impact of electric cars on the environment as compared to gas cars. This will help you decide whether it’s a good investment for your business or as a customer whether it’s the right choice to get an electric car or not.
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Why are Electric Cars Becoming Popular?
Let’s talk about the benefits of electric cars for the environment.
The contribution made by electric cars in keeping the environment cleaner, improving the air quality in urban areas is the obvious reason. The absence of tailpipes means zero carbon dioxide emission during a long-lasting driving experience!
Results – Considerable reduction in air pollution.
According to Sergey Paltsev, the senior research scientist at MIT Energy Initiative,
“Taking the analysis of the current situation, electric vehicles are doing even better than gas cars.’
He further explained that electric vehicles are becoming the source of renewable electricity, however, it can be foreseen in the far future.
Comparing Electric Car Vs Gas Car
The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology has compared the overall environmental impact of both cars.
The main aim of the study was to understand the major Ws (why how and which) of the better-performing vehicle. The green image represented by the electric vehicles is cutting the per-km emissions as compared to the use of fossil fuels for gas cars.
Few other keynotes to observe are the battery size, background electricity, battery lifetime, and battery performance.
Based on these keynotes, we will continue our understanding of the differences between electric cars and gas cars.
Impact of Electric Car Production on the Environment
In this case, gas cars take precedence over electric cars. Manufacturing electric cars consume a lot of energy. The battery used in electric cars is a greener option, however, these are lithium-ion based. Gas cars use lead-acid batteries that are easier to manufacture.
Whereas lithium-ion batteries require a lot of energy, tools, and effort for production. For instance, the extraction of lithium, nickel, and cobalt itself is a feat of its own with a limited resource pool.
On the darker side of the image, these are also harder to recycle compared to lead-acid batteries.
According to David Reichmuth, a senior engineer at the Union of Concerned Scientists,
“The CO2 emission from a battery is higher than manufacturing engine and transmission”.
As per estimation, 15% more emissions are expected by manufacturing a midsize electric car. If a bigger electric car is manufactured, it will also require a larger battery, with a longer battery duration but the gap could exceed well up to 68%.
What Causes the Emission Gap in Electric Vehicles rather than Gas Cars?
The electricity used in manufacturing the battery is the most dominant factor in this case. So, you will need a cleaner source to have a high impact to reduce emissions from the production process.
By far, electric cars have shown the lowest emissions in the US, China, and India. These countries have the highest demand for electric cars in the market.
The Greener Electric Supply Boost is an Added Advantage
According to another ICCT study, if you compare a Ford Focus with a Mitsubishi i-MiEV battery car for at least a 93,000-mile lifespan, you will find that Focus emits only 392 g of Carbon Dioxide as compared to the Mitsubishi, which emits 203 g per kilometer.
So it does conclude notably that electric cars have the value-added lowest emission rate and low energy consumption as well.
Electric Vehicle Passes the Same Safety Tests as Gas Cars
Every car has to pass the same safety test to make sure it can operate properly. For instance, the Tesla Model X scored perfectly in terms of safety. As compared to gas cars, electric cars have less potential of catching fire.
Usually, a car is said to catch fire when driven at 20 million miles. However, for an electric vehicle, the rate per fire is 120 million miles. That’s an 80% reduction in the potential fire! Pretty amazing, right?
Lower Maintenance is a Popular Game for Electric Cars
A gas car has more removing parts than an eclectic car. So the fewer moving parts the car has, the wear and tear are lesser. It also means you will save a lot of time, money, and energy over electric car repairs in comparison.
The electric car user does not have to rent while their vehicle is being serviced, and no more fuss over the oil change either. But you still have brakes to maintain, which costs lower than other high-rise maintenance expenses of a gas-powered car.
One major issue might be related to the battery change. Usually, the battery can last up to 15 years (in mild climates) which is a pretty good deal.
Also, electric vehicles are quieter and lack noise which makes them a better option than gas-powered cars.
Conclusion: Environmental Impact of Electric Cars
The green credentials are in favor of electric-powered cars – hands down. However, the greener impact on the environment is yet to fully mature in the long run. But it doesn’t mean one needs to wait to enjoy the benefits. You will contribute to reducing the emissions when buying an electric car instead of a gas car.
Electric cars still have to play a crucial role as a cleaning agent to reduce air pollution and much more.
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