Several recent researches claim electric cars are equally environmentally hazardous as fuel-based vehicles. Various experts have said that EVs have a higher carbon footprint than diesel cars. The manufacturing and charging of electric vehicle batteries cause this.
Raw materials are energy-intensive to mine and produce
Lithium, cobalt, manganese, and other battery raw materials are energy-intensive to mine and produce. Electric vehicle production requires double the energy of traditional automobile manufacturing. Reason? Batteries. Christoph Buchal of the University of Cologne thinks that electric vehicle create significantly higher CO2 emissions when compared to diesel cars.
The right perspective
Consider the statistics to put things in the right perspective, The IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute found that making an electric vehicle battery consumes 350 to 650 Megajoules per kWh and generates 80 to 90 grams of CO2. Power facilities that provide energy for such cars also emit.
EVs make use of power that’s generated from polluting fossil fuels
Air pollution in major cities has reached alarming levels. It is putting people at risk of severe respiratory disorders. EVs are not the best solution because they are not environmentally sustainable. Electric cars don’t release greenhouse gases or nitric oxide. Instead, they make use of power that’s generated from polluting fossil fuels. Therefore, they don’t bring betterment to the environment.
The good news is that this space has viable options
Battery-powered EVs and conventional gasoline vehicles have the same aggregate carbon footprint. The good news is that this space has viable options. Researchers say methane-powered gasoline engines or hydrogen motors may reduce CO2 emissions by one-third and replace diesel motors if introduced holistically.
EVs are not commercially feasible
Another issue is that EVs are not commercially feasible and most of them lack market appeal. Compared to traditional automobiles, present battery technology is primarily responsible for this expensiveness. Batteries account for half the cost of an electric automobile. Even while battery prices have dropped over time, they are still pricey. Battery producers worldwide face negative operating margins and cash flow issues.
EV adoption is low
EV adoption is low due to the above concerns and lagged battery technology. Due to lagging demand, cobalt and lithium prices are declining, but experts estimate battery costs to rise by 20% in the next years. Goldman Sachs estimates that battery advancements can cut EV prices by 30–40%. Consumers need subsidies and buying incentives to encourage adoption.
Transition to ecologically friendly transport
Two-wheelers, a personal mobility product popular around the globe, follow a distinct trajectory. Transition to ecologically friendly transport will be delayed due to cost and job scarcity. Two-wheelers are an economical alternative mobility option everywhere, enabling fully inclusive transportation ecology. Two-wheelers are the sole emission-efficient means of mobility in areas without public transit.
The BS VI emission
BS VI emission limits would put India on par with some of the world’s most industrialized nations’ two-wheeler and passenger car emission standards. Researchers across the globe are also studying cheaper zero-emission fuel cell technology that might replace gas engines. Once commercialized, the technology can lower car costs since it’s cheaper than gasoline engines. Fuel cell technology provides constant energy and is durable.
Sustainable energy production is essential
The chemical reaction of oxygen and hydrogen to create power makes fuel cell tech environmentally sustainable. Though inexpensive, they are durable and function comparably well to alternatives. If adopted, they may reduce unit costs and be cheaper than batteries and traditional engines. Electricity generation requires quick attention. Sustainable energy production is essential for genuine energy efficiency.
