As we all know that new trend towards the use of electric cars are encouraged by many government policies, banning on the use of petrol or diesel cars are on the way of planning for some countries. The question is how the electric cars would impact on our environments? For example, how could we dispose the used batteries?
Although there is another advanced type of cars-hydrogen fuel cars on its frontier for R&D at moment, it claims to be environment friendly. It seems that it is still long way to go.
However, It would be interesting to know how the electric cars could play in our future lives, especially environmental impact? Thanks in advance for answering the question!
Research has shown that electric cars are better for the environment. They emit less greenhouse gases and air pollutants over their life than a petrol or diesel car. This is even after the production of the vehicle and the generation of the electricity required to fuel them is considered.
https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/energywise/electric-cars-and-environment#:~:text=Research%20has%20shown%20that%20electric,to%20fuel%20them%20is%20considered.
Best regards
I think there are a lot of aspects to be considered. First, we are often focusing on GHG emissions, but transport contributes to a lot of other pollutants, including NOX, particulate matter, etc. Electric cars may help also in tackling these issues, although new fossil-based cars have very low emission rates now. The problem remains related to old cars, which are still very used around the world.
Electric cars will shift the problems to the electricity generation sector. If you produce electricity with fossil fuels, you still have both GHG and pollutants emissions. That's why electric cars need to be coupled with low-carbon generation to really make a change.
The other important point that you mention is related to batteries. The recycling industry is at its infancy, mostly because total volumes remain low and there are no regulation targets right now. I think it will be a crucial market to develop, driven by proper policies. Still, it is important to remember that depleted batteries from EVs have a strong potential in supplying stationary storage, to support a larger deployment of variable renewables (sun and wind).
Last point on hydrogen: I think that due to its long supply chain, requiring additional steps in comparison with electricity (considering green hydrogen), it could become competitive with batteries only for specific sectors that need long ranges (e.g. trucks), but it really depends on how hydrogen infrastructure will be developed.
I think that the reduction due to energy source transition from petrol into electricity will not reduce a lot to the environment. It is caused by the base material from the electric vehicle and also some of the parts still come from the Hydrocarbon source. Also, the duration of battery usage need to be considered as it still hard to recycle the battery emission. However, overall there will be a reduction as there are no any direct emission from the energy source. For a better environment, there still needed a balance with carbon emission reduction technology, such as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). The impact of electric vehicle to the climate is clearly described in the article below.
https://www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-how-electric-vehicles-help-to-tackle-climate-change
Ok, due to weight increase by 800 to 1000kg - the electric cars will drastically increase tire wear. Already today the tire fine dust pollution is 100 times higher then the exhaust pollution. And it will double.
There is no reason for adding 1000 kg material used for individual transportation, except comfort. And we do, because we can effort it. Some people not - they are still with bicycles....
Marginal electric power is still produced by burning coal - so the environmental impact is pretty big.
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