Can Electric Cars Save the Environment?

The environment continues to deteriorate, despite the slapdash efforts of governments around the world to promote green practices. Measures taken to reduce environmental damage have made a difference, but we are still far from saving the environment from the doom we brought upon it. We have already caused massive destruction of natural habitats and continue to deplete earth’s valuable resources, thus restoring harmony isn’t going to be easy.

Transportation is a major contributor of greenhouse gases, which are responsible for global warming. If we shift to greener ways of commute, it is likely to leave a positive impact on the environment. Powerful governments and leading auto manufacturers around the globe are rigorously marketing electric cars for a better future. Electric vehicles are said to incorporate green and clean technology that is theoretically pollution-free.

Electric car are still scarce as opposed to traditional automobiles running on gas and diesel. So the question is that will mass production and utilization of electric cars solve key issues of the environment? Do we get closer to saving the planet if all conventional vehicles were replaced with electrically powered ones? There is no simple answer to such questions, so let us evaluate different aspects of the notion:

Do Electric Cars truly operate on Green Fuel?

Electric cars do not have combustion engines, so they don’t burn fossil fuels to function. They run on electrical charge, which can be referred to as ready-made energy. Therefore, the real question is that where does the electricity powering these cars come from? Electricity in many developed countries is generated by coal and oil power stations, which means electric cars are would still indirectly consume fossil fuels. However, electric cars can be powered by green energy as well; hence, our first priority should be to shift to renewable resources for electricity production.

Nations that are using solar, wind, hydropower, or another sustainable resource to make electricity can truly run electric cars on green fuel. Electric cars that are charged from power generated by fossil fuels are still better than cars with an internal combustion engine. Electric cars are energy efficient, i.e. their fuel-to-energy conversion rate is up to 90%, whereas the energy output of traditional cars is lower than 30%. Since electric cars do not burn raw fuel, they do not emit harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Electric Cars are far from Economical and Practical

Electric cars sound amazing, but turning them into the standard form of transport is easier said than done. For starters, most modern and pragmatic electric cars on the market are crazy expensive. Many people cannot afford them and a lot of those who can are not convinced if it’s really a sound investment. Change is difficult; people are accustomed to gasoline-powered cars and don’t believe that an electric car will improve their lives.

If the government gave everyone free electric cars in exchange for their old-school vehicles, one might expect an overwhelming response and commotion. However, few nations are equipped to handle the surge in electricity demand once the public starts charging cars at residential and commercial outlets. Electricity is not a cheap utility, and charging stations for electric cars do not exist in most parts of the world. Electric cars are not viewed as a feasible means to travel long distances, and there is a grain of truth in that statement, present circumstances considered.

How long will it take to eliminate traditional automobiles?

Completely replacing traditional automobiles with electrical prototypes shall require plenty of time. We might be too late by the time electric cars are ready to dominate the automotive industry. Every nation will have to build a wide new infrastructure to support the fuelling needs of electric cars, which can take several years or decades. Right now, many developing and under-developed countries are not prepared for the evolution due to poor economic conditions.

The transition would be tremendously wasteful

Discarding all conventionally powered vehicles and opting for an electric car poses a huge solid waste problem. What will we do about the billions of gasoline powered cars being driven today? Our landfills are already overburdened and recycling billions of tons of disposed of cars seems like quite a challenge. Many old car parts can be refurbished and reused, but that would require initiative on an international level. If electric cars become mainstream, old technology will be declared outdated and lose any resale value; consequently, people will randomly dump the useless piece of machinery.

What about offshore transportation?

Electric cars may reduce land pollution to a considerable extent, though that doesn’t reduce the carbon footprint of air and marine travel. The idea of battery-operated aircrafts and ships is too farfetched at the moment. Electric cars can clean up the air we breathe in, but the risks to aquatic would still persist. Maritime accidents would still lead to toxic oil spills and aviation shall continue being a major contribution to climate change.

What are the alternatives?

As far as transportation is concerned, electric cars are the most futuristic approach to solving the environmental dilemma. We can make day-to-day commute somewhat ecofriendly by using public transport, carpooling, and cycling. Several people can travel short distances on foot or purchase a hybrid car, which is fairly energy efficient and offers greater mileage. These small gestures have a limited impact, but it’s better than doing nothing.

Conclusion

Electrical cars can solve some of our environmental problems, but they still have a long way to go. If the world can double its current electricity production by relying on cheap and renewable resources, the transition is possible. Many automobile manufacturers are looking into mass production of affordable high performance electric cars; the sooner they succeed, the better the prospects for our environment.

Author Bio

John Adams is a paralegal and environmentalist, who frequently blogs about topics related to personal injury law, green living, and ecofriendly technology. He believes that every person can improve the quality of his/her life by thinking positive and making better choices.