Hypocrisy of saving the Environment by using EV (Electric Vehicle)

Mr Elon musk said once that to live in and breathe clean city air we have to drive an electric vehicle.

So truly speaking I did some digging on this and got to know some unfaithful claimed facts for India.  

Electric vehicles (EVs) have been a topic of debate regarding their environmental impact. Let’s delve into the reality of EVs and their effects on the environment:

1. Tailpipe Emissions:

   EVs emit zero tailpipe emissions because they run solely on electricity. This is a significant advantage over conventional gasoline-powered vehicles that emit pollutants directly from their exhaust pipes.

2. Well-to-Wheel Emissions:

   However, the overall environmental impact of EVs also depends on the energy source used to charge them. This concept is known as well-to-wheel emissions.
3. Electricity production varies in emissions based on the energy mix of a region. If your electricity comes from renewable sources (such as wind, solar, or hydro), the well-to-wheel emissions for your EV are minimal.In regions where electricity is primarily generated from fossil fuels (coal, natural gas), the well-to-wheel emissions increase.

4. Comparing Emissions: 

   All-electric vehicles emit around 4,450 pounds of CO2 equivalent yearly when considering well-to-wheel emissions. By comparison, conventional gasoline cars emit over twice as much annually. The actual emissions depend on your geographic area and the energy sources used for electricity generation.

5. Prioritising Renewable Energy: 

   To maximise the environmental benefits of EVs, prioritise using zero-emissions electricity wherever possible. Transitioning to renewable energy sources for electricity production is crucial for reducing the overall carbon footprint of EVs.

In summary, while EVs significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, their impact depends on the energy mix used for electricity generation.

As of May 2023, fossil fuel-based electricity-producing stations in India account for approximately 56.8% of the total installed generation capacity. Here’s the breakdown:

• Coal: 49.1%
• Lignite: 1.6%
• Gas: 6.0%
• Diesel: 0.1%

As of 3rd August 2022, a total of 13,92,265 electric vehicles (EVs) are being used on the roads of India. These EVs fall into different categories:

1. Two-Wheelers: There are 5,44,643 electric two-wheelers currently on Indian roads.
2. Three-Wheelers: The number of electric three-wheelers in use stands at 7,93,370.
3. Four-Wheelers and Above: There are 54,252 electric four-wheelers and above (including cars and other larger vehicles).

The adoption of EVs has been increasing, and the sale of EVs in the fiscal year 2021-22 has gone up over three times compared to the previous year. This growth is attributed to incentives provided under the FAME India Scheme Phase-II, which reduces the upfront purchase price of electric vehicles.

Electric vehicles (EVs) have been hailed as a greener alternative to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. However, the reality is more nuanced. Let’s explore some aspects of EVs and their impact on the environment:

Carbon Footprint: 

EVs themselves do not emit tailpipe emissions, which is a significant advantage. But their overall carbon footprint depends on several factors. Well-to-wheel emissions consider the entire life-cycle of an EV, including manufacturing, charging, and disposal. The source of electricity used to charge EVs plays a crucial role. If the electricity comes from fossil fuels (such as coal), the carbon footprint increases.

Electricity Generation: 

Most electricity grids globally have a mix of energy sources, including coal, natural gas, hydro, nuclear, wind, and solar. Charging an EV with electricity generated from coal is marginally better than burning gasoline in an ICE vehicle. EVs powered by clean, renewable sources (wind, solar) significantly reduce emissions.

Battery Production: 

The production of EV batteries has a significant carbon footprint due to mining, processing, and transportation of raw materials (such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel). Efforts are being made to improve battery technology and reduce reliance on rare and environmentally sensitive materials.

Life-cycle Assessment: 

A comprehensive lifecycle assessment is essential to understand the true environmental impact of EVs. While EVs offer benefits in terms of reduced local air pollution and noise, their overall impact depends on the energy mix and manufacturing processes.

Infrastructure and Transition: 

Transitioning to EVs requires infrastructure development, including charging stations and grid upgrades. The shift to EVs must be accompanied by cleaner energy sources to maximize environmental benefits.

In summary, In short as per me EVs are not a silver bullet for the vampire known as pollution.  EVs are contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions they can be an Alternatives not the solution.