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How Green Are Electric Cars Really?
This post was originally posted here: How Green Are Electric Cars Really?
With recent advances in electric vehicle technology, it seems that almost every major auto manufacturer has begun to produce their own line of electric or hybrid car, and these vehicles have gotten quite a bit of media attention. Many Americans have purchased electric cars both to save money on fuel and to ease their carbon footprints.
Although the rising gas prices worldwide definitely have an effect on hybrid and electric car purchases, concern for the environment and fear about global warming are overwhelmingly the main reasons that most consumers decide to invest in an electric vehicle. With all this hype, however, and with the disasters of climate change becoming the norm, many consumers are wondering whether electric cars are really so great, and whether they are actually “green” enough to make them worth their costs or inconveniences.
How Are Electric Cars Green?
Fuel
There are two main ways that electric cars are good for the environment. First, they cut down on fuel usage. There are both hybrid cars, which can run on both electricity and gasoline. Both of these options can be refueled using at-home charging stations, drastically reducing the amount of petroleum used by the driver, and thus reduce the amount that needs to be imported. The less crude oil we use, the less we need to destroy ecosystems for drilling and pipelines, and the less risk of ecological catastrophes like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2011 or the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Choosing to import less petroleum also further decreases fuel usage, by requiring less fuel for freight shipments of barrels of oil to the United States.
A concern of many buyers when considering electric cars is that the electricity available in their homes does not come from renewable sources either, so it doesn’t feel any more environmentally sound than gasoline. Most homes in the United States are still powered by natural gas, coal, or petroleum, though use of wind and solar energy is growing, particularly in the Midwest. However, the fuel efficiency of many electric cars is much greater than gas-powered vehicles, meaning that they can go a greater distance using less “fuel.” Having an electric car also often tends to influence drivers to use other forms of transportation, such as bicycles or public transit, more often.
Emissions
The second major advantage held by electric and hybrid cars over vehicles that run on gasoline is that most have absolutely no emissions. Car and bus emissions contribute massively to harmful air pollution in cities, and are considered a major cause of climate change. Reducing emissions by driving a carbon-neutral vehicle (especially if you live in an area where you can purchase electricity from renewable sources) can help you do your part to fight global warming and keep your community healthy with less air pollution.
What Does This Mean?
So, if you are on the edge about purchasing an electric car, consider taking the plunge. Electric vehicles have proven to be more economical, and exponentially easier on our planet. If you happen to live in a region where your electricity comes from coal, petroleum, or natural gas, take the initiative to change that. Search for alternative providers, or petition your utilities company to move toward renewable energy. By doing so, you can be one step closer to driving a carbon-neutral car.
Jessica Bosari is an avid electric car blogger for chargingstations.com. Visit the site for news and reviews on electric cars and the charging stations that power them.
Read more at Talking About Green
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