What are the Environmental Benefits of Electric Vehicles
Added: 31 October 2023
Over the next 10 years, both the new and used car markets are set to radically transform, as the transition into full electric cars continues to pick up the pace. Electric cars have split opinions since being introduced, with some being early adopters, praising the driving experience, ease of use, and lower and less frequent maintenance costs, while others feel that EV’s are still years away from being viable for everyone, both in terms of the cars themselves and the infrastructure being built to support them.
The main reason for the coming EV takeover is for the good of the environment. Fossil fuels currently supply around 80% of the worlds energy, accounting for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and almost 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions, according to the United Nations. Any way in which the world can move away from this reliance to something more sustainable is seen as huge positive, and electric cars serve as a great example.
The lower amount of maintenance required on these vehicles will also have a positive effect on the environment in future. As there are less parts to go wrong, it makes the car more reliable. Since the car is more reliable, drivers may be more inclined to stick with the same car for a longer period.
Electric cars are better, cleaner and kinder to the environment than their petrol or diesel-powered counterparts. This is because they are typically powered with a lithium-ion battery charged by electricity, rather than a combustion engine that runs on fossil fuels. No exhaust fumes are produced meaning there are less dangerous greenhouses gases such as carbon dioxide being expelled from the vehicle into the atmosphere.
One of the more obvious benefits you will notice with the increase of EV’s on our roads is the reduction of noise pollution in towns and cities. Traffic noise accounts for the number one cause of noise pollution in towns and cities, most of which comes from engines. Although EV’s are required to make some noise due to safety measures, they are still far quieter than the ICE alternative.
If you are in the position of being able to charge at home or work, this comes with some major benefits, both in terms of convenience and the environment. For many, once they are in the routine of putting their car on charge overnight when they get home, there will almost never be the need to use a public charger, where charging costs can be high.
One common argument against EV’s being better for the environment comes from the claim that the carbon footprint from one electric vehicle is larger than the equivalent ICE vehicle due to the production of the vehicle. This is actually true, as the lithium-ion battery requires a large number of materials and energy to build. However, once the vehicle is on the road, this comparison flips dramatically. Research suggests that it takes an EV at most 18 months of driving to make up for their emissions in comparison to the equivalent ICE car, and from there the gap in emissions keeps on growing in the EV’s favor.
The future of transport is electric, and electric will make the future a cleaner, quieter, more enjoyable place to be for everyone. Peugeot now provide an electrified version of their entire range, either through electric or hybrid, and promise to be fully electric by 2030, regardless of the recent policy changes by the UK government. Click the link below to view our full EV range.
