Electric vehicles have been implemented and pretty much engrained into our society, mostly for the purpose of helping the environment by reducing the amount of gases released from typical motor vehicles. According to a Vera Mobility report shown in an News Journal article, only 7 percent of Americans own an EV, but 47 percent are looking to buy one in the next 5 years, showing that society is gradually shifting to EVs. But do they really help our environment? What about the usage of batteries – are they eco-friendly once they no longer serve a purpose? Are the cars even safe to function?
Pros to Electronic Vehicles
To begin, here are some pros to electric vehicles. Electric vehicles DO have less negative impacts on the environment, as they produce zero tailpipe emission unlike motorized cars, according to the Alternative Fuels Data Center under the U.S. Department of Energy. This means greenhouse gas emissions are significantly lower, and implementing this on a wide-scale basis would create an enormous dent in the growing global climate. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 400 grams of carbon dioxide is emitted per mile for a typical car. Say you’re simply traveling to some place 5 miles away – that is already 2000 grams produced, and just from one vehicle. There’s also the convenience of EVs - a typical EV can be plugged into the same outlet as one of your daily-use items, the United States Environmental Protection Agency says. Most people tend to just charge their cars at home, but if they live in apartment complexes or condos, the amount of charging stations has increased as well to accommodate the increasing number of EVs. Additionally, EVs are quite safe, according to the EPA, EVs go through the same process as typical gas powered cars to ensure their safety.
Cons to Electronic Vehicles
Contradicting this, according to Sophie Parker, a Director of Science for Climate and Land Use in California’s chapter of The Nature Conservancy, credited by NPR.org, producing the batteries used for EVs has a significant carbon footprint, requiring lithium to make them. Making a EV is more damaging than making a gas-powered vehicle, however, gas powered vehicles, when used, already tend to get to the same level of damage, if not even more. NPR makes a great point that building a lithium battery is “an environmental cost that’s paid once. Burning gasoline is a cost that is paid again, and again, and again” which is extremely true. People all around the world have to consume gasoline consistently, which is yet again detrimental to the environment due to its consumption of fossil fuels. With EVs, that environmental cost is paid but not nearly as frequently as gas powered cars. Another potential issue is the carbon pollution made by the electricity generated for powering EVs. The United States Environmental Protection Agency states, however that the amount generated depends on the local fuel – “e.g., using coal or gas, which emit carbon pollution, versus renewable energy resources like wind or solar, which do not” and notes that EVs still have less of an effect on greenhouse emissions than a typical gasoline car.
What Can We Do About This?
While EVs may not be completely amazing for the environment due to its lithium mining and minimal carbon pollution, there are rarely ever solutions with a 100% eco-friendly method. However, if you’re considering buying an EV, NPR has a suggestion from Thea Rianfrancos, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Providence College that is deeply passionate about climate change – try buying an EV that is on the smaller side. This means the battery is smaller, which takes less lithium. Not only that, Rianfrancos bought a used EV, meaning the cost was reduced. EVs can be quite pricey at times, but you can always considering buying a used car, or thinking about how the long-term cost will turn out. Gas prices are constantly on the rise, and with the added issue that gasoline hurts our environment, it’s easy to tell EVs have many benefits due to their pricing and environmental impact. Another thing you can do if you are unsure about purchasing an EV is getting a hybrid. Some are not too pricey, and hybrids are extremely efficient as well, all while cutting down on environmental damage. Also, you can get around using bikes or public transportation as Rianfrancos stated. While public transportation is primarily gasoline based, it is ultimately more efficient and better than individual cars since more people are getting on one vehicle. Bikes create absolutely no pollution as well. However, there is no doubt some places are not meant for bikes or public transit, and not everyone has an EV. This can be due to multiple factors, like the current lack of charging stations, the fact that families already own a gas powered car, and more. Things like trying to cut down environmental damage by carpooling is also a very helpful thing.
To conclude...
> EVs are no doubt very helpful to our environment! They cut down on environmental damage by emitting pretty much no greenhouse gases, and they’re also very convenient to charge. While it is not necessary to get an EV, the creation of EVs makes us think of how we affect the environment through our transportation and how we, in our own way, can try to cut down on our own damage. Doing our part in every aspect of our life is incredibly important, including transportation! Keep looking towards the future with its new advancements and innovations – as technology grows, our positive impact on the environment should too.