Health And Environment Benefits Of Electric Vehicles

Transportation is one of the largest sources of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. While there have been conversations and debates on the best possible strategy to shift to a cleaner energy source, climate change is wreaking havoc across the globe.

The availability of fossil fuels is limited and continues to impact our environment. Toxic emissions from burning fossil fuels can lead to adverse effects on public health.

Moving away from gas-powered vehicles to clean alternative energy sources is crucial to avert catastrophic climatic conditions.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF SWITCHING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES 

Pollution caused by vehicles causes serious harm to our environment and health. Exhaust emissions from gas-powered vehicles contain toxic pollutants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxides.

When these gases are released into the atmosphere through chemical reactions, they are converted into fine particles, which ultimately are in the air we breathe. While our noses can block out big particles, fine particles can be deposited deep in your lungs.

On the other hand, Electric Vehicles emit fewer emissions over their lifetime, even if you factor in the battery production process at the start of their lifecycle. Electric vehicles help combat various climate change issues, significantly reducing air and noise pollution around us.

EVs reduce air pollution

Vehicle emissions occur at ground level and typically coincide with densely populated areas, resulting in higher health impacts. Fine particle pollution commonly found in vehicle exhaust emissions can lead to respiratory damage, increased risk of cancer and premature death. 

When you have an electric vehicle with little to no exhaust emissions, you're removing a wide range of contaminants from ground level and shifting them to power plants. The shift alone can significantly improve air quality around densely populated areas.

With no vehicle exhaust emissions, EVs have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. EVs significantly reduce the incidence of cardiopulmonary illness due to air pollution.

EV has zero exhaust emissions, but but still creates a degree of greenhouse gas emissions while charging from the electricity grid. However, today's electric cars produce significantly fewer planet-warming emissions than most cars fueled with gasoline.

EVs reduce noise pollution

Noise pollution is extremely harmful to public health, second only to air pollution. Electric cars contribute significantly to cutting down on noise pollution; they are incredibly quiet.

Regular exposure to noise pollution is enough to cause increased blood pressure, stress, concentration loss and sleep fragmentation. All of these factors can put us at an increased risk of contracting a range of health conditions.

EVs are considerably quieter compared to gas-powered vehicles, as they don't have a combustion engine. The only sounds EVs tend to make are caused by the tyres or the wind while driving at high speeds.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF SWITCHING TO ELECTRIC CARS

Apart from the environmental and health benefits of switching to electric cars, they are also an economical option in the long run.

EVs are cheaper to run

The cost of electricity required to charge an EV car is almost 40% less than the cost of using petrol for a similar-sized car driving the same distance. If you charge your EV from your solar charging system, the cost will be even lower.

EVs are cheaper to maintain 

Battery Electric Vehicle has fewer moving parts than a conventional gas-powered vehicle. Servicing EVs is relatively easy, less frequent and overall cheaper. All EV batteries eventually degrade, becoming less efficient over time. It may become necessary to replace the EV battery a few years after use.

EVs can be charged with renewable energy

If your EV vehicle has a solar PV system and charges your EV during the day, you can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions even further. 

Electric vehicles also use regenerative braking, a process in which the motor slows the vehicle down by putting kinetic energy back into the battery. This process limits the amount of particle pollution from brake dust, in turn benefiting the environment.

WHY SHIFT TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES? 

The entire process of extracting oil, refining it into fuel, and transporting it to gas stations generates significant air pollution. These are called well-to-wheel emissions or upstream emissions.

The production of EV batteries also creates upstream emissions; it can be more taxing on the environment. However, it is still the cleanest option for transportation, as the entire lifecycle is much more sustainable overall.

Electricity is getting cleaner every year with the increased use of clean and renewable energy sources like wind and solar energy. These source-based emissions can be reduced considerably by transitioning to an electric vehicle powered by clean, renewable energy. 

Fully electric vehicles have zero exhaust emissions. Even if you consider the electricity production process, carbon emissions are significantly lesser than gas-powered vehicles. 

Apart from the various environmental and health benefits of electric vehicles, EVs are convenient to charge, easy to drive, better for our health and cause almost no noise pollution.