Courtesy : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Green e-vehicle
The evolution of electric vehicles has revolutionised the Indian automobile industry. Today, the government and automakers from around the globe promote EVs as an essential technology to curb oil use and battle climate change. In India, EV adoption has expanded into many states, including Delhi, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The governments of these states have offered lucrative incentives and subsidies to enable the shift and facilitate the development of EVs and their charging stations. Besides government initiatives, the launch of innovative electric vehicles by EV companies plays an integral role in the segment’s success. Their concerted efforts have started to influence people to replace petrol-led vehicles for electric vehicles. Till now, EVs have made an immense contribution to the environment and have addressed severe environmental threats.
Environmental effects addressed by EVs
Electric cars have innumerable benefits for the environment. Several types of research indicate that EVs are better for the environment as they improve air quality by lowering emissions, unlike conventional fossil fuel vehicles. Electric vehicles emit fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants than petrol or diesel cars. EVs also contribute less noise pollution as they are much quieter than petrol/diesel cars. As they do not have any tailpipe, EVs produce zero carbon dioxide emissions while driving. Hence, electric vehicles offer cleaner streets by making the towns and cities a much better place for pedestrians and cyclists.
The electricity costs required to charge electric vehicles are 40 per cent less than the costs needed in fossil fuel vehicles to drive the same distance. The charging procedure requires minimal expenses if riders charge their cars from affordable charging stations. Moreover, the advent of destination charging has made it easy, ubiquitous, and reliable, allowing individuals to charge their EVs anytime from shopping centres, metro stations, workplaces, etc. Owing to these reasons, EVs have become genuinely viable, everyday modes of transport that offer unparalleled convenience to riders and businesses alike. However, the EV industry is still in the early stages of its evolution, raising a persistent question- ‘Are EVs really as green as advertised?’
Problems yet to be addressed by the EV industry
Presently, electric vehicles address carbon emissions problems while driving, compared to petrol/ diesel-powered vehicles. However, the industry still needs to address multiple parts in the supply chain. For example, coal or fossil fuels generate the electricity used for charging the EVs, adding to carbon emissions in the environment. Similarly, the manufacturing of EV batteries requires the mining of minerals, which add to environmental emissions. Moreover, the disposal of the EV batteries after use is another area that the industry needs to solve for from an ecological lens. These issues need solutions to help the EV sector contribute in an even larger way to a greener and more livable planet.
Ideal solutions to overcome the existing challenges
The increased use of solar and other renewable energy sources can be one of the probable solutions that would help power the electric grids used for charging EVs. Most governments have started taking steps to transform their power grids into more environment-friendly ones.
