Myth #1: EVs are worse for the environment than other vehicles
There’s a lot of misinformation about EVs out there. One of the most common ones out there is that they’re worse for the environment than gas or diesel cars. Before we share some resources that disprove this, let’s take a logical look at why this is unlikely.
Let's look at hybrids first
Think about hybrids, like the Toyota Prius. Getting over 50 MPG in many situations, it’s clear that a Prius is more fuel efficient than the average non-hybrid gas car. Nobody disputes that fact.
However, a hybrid like a Prius (excluding the plug-in hybrid versions, of course) gets all of its energy from gasoline. So how does it use so much less gas? Because it uses that energy more efficiently. It uses a small battery, and an electric motor, to assist the gas engine. It also is capable of recovering energy through regenerative braking.
However, a hybrid like a Prius (excluding the plug-in hybrid versions, of course) gets all of its energy from gasoline. So how does it use so much less gas? Because it uses that energy more efficiently. It uses a small battery, and an electric motor, to assist the gas engine. It also is capable of recovering energy through regenerative braking.
But aren't EVs run on coal power?
Let’s look at the “long tailpipe” argument people use against EVs. Supposedly, they’re either no cleaner, or more dirty, because they get much of their energy from coal power plants. Well, even if that were true and the electrical grid were ONLY comprised of dirty coal plants (it's not) EVs are STILL better for the environment because of how efficient they are at using the energy stored in their batteries to drive down the road.
According to research by BloombergNEF, EVs will become cleaner and cleaner as the electrical grid transforms in the coming years. “When an internal combustion vehicle rolls off the line its emissions per km are set, but for an EV they keep falling every year as the grid gets cleaner,” Colin McKerracher, a transport analyst at BNEF said.
Over time, grids almost everywhere are getting more and more renewables. An EV gets cleaner as the grid cleans up, while gas or diesel cars will always run on gas or diesel.
According to research by BloombergNEF, EVs will become cleaner and cleaner as the electrical grid transforms in the coming years. “When an internal combustion vehicle rolls off the line its emissions per km are set, but for an EV they keep falling every year as the grid gets cleaner,” Colin McKerracher, a transport analyst at BNEF said.
Over time, grids almost everywhere are getting more and more renewables. An EV gets cleaner as the grid cleans up, while gas or diesel cars will always run on gas or diesel.
Some Resources
We can’t cover every argument and counterargument here, but we can give you some resources to give you all of the facts.
For those who like videos, here’s one from Engineering Explained. EE isn’t known for being a left wing source of information, and still regularly follows developments with combustion engines. Also, the video is loaded with actual citations of various scientific studies on the issue.
For those who like videos, here’s one from Engineering Explained. EE isn’t known for being a left wing source of information, and still regularly follows developments with combustion engines. Also, the video is loaded with actual citations of various scientific studies on the issue.
Another resource worth considering is this 2018 report by the Union of Concerned Scientists. In it, they show the equivalent pollution of an EV compared to gas cars of a particular MPG. As you’ll see, not all areas have the same cleanliness of power grid.
While EVs are not perfect, they are far cleaner than most gasoline vehicles in most places. While there is a higher environmental cost to producing a new EV, the reduced pollution makes up for it during the first few years the vehicle is on the road.
While EVs are not perfect, they are far cleaner than most gasoline vehicles in most places. While there is a higher environmental cost to producing a new EV, the reduced pollution makes up for it during the first few years the vehicle is on the road.