[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Are electric cars really better for the environment, or are they just as bad as fuelled vehicles? We will explore these questions in this article.

Everyone will have seen those EV number plates at some point, but what exactly are EVs, and are electric cars really better for the environment? There are different angles to consider when answering this question, and a lot to get through – so buckle up and take some notes.

At Number Plate Clinic, we love to keep you informed. If you want to learn more, why not check out our articles on why electric cars have green number plates and if all EVs have green on their plates. If you want to get EV number plates for yourself, we have a range to choose from, as well as square plates, bike plates, clear krystal plates and double clear krystal bike plates.

Electric Cars: An Overview

As the name suggests, an electric car is a vehicle that is powered by electricity rather than a fuel like diesel or petrol. All-electric cars are also referred to as battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and instead of having an internal combustion engine, they have an electric motor that is usually made from lithium.

Over the years, electric cars have become incredibly popular due to their claims about being more environmentally-friendly, but is this really true? How different are EV and fuelled vehicle CO2 emissions when you compare them side-by-side, and is getting an electric car worth the money?

According to the evidence, emissions from electric cars are significantly lower than that of fuelled vehicles. Below, we will have a look at the full picture, so that you can see for yourself.

Are Electric Cars Really Better for the Environment

Are electric cars really better for the environment, or is this a myth created to get you to buy another vehicle? The truth is, electric cars are better for the environment! In fact, there is such a big difference between electric and fuelled cars, it’s almost shocking.

Below, we will look at the two major things to consider when asking yourself if electric cars are better for the environment: efficiency and natural resources required.

They Are More Efficient

An EV will produce roughly half the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that a fuelled car would. This is comparing new electric cars to new fuelled cars, so it’s difficult to argue with the facts. Not only do electric vehicles result in less CO2 being made during production of the vehicle itself, but the operation is significantly lower, too.

With that being said, the battery production does add to the overall CO2 of EVs, but even with this included, these electric cars produce 52% less CO2 emissions compared to the average fuelled car. When looking at the miles per gallon and carbon emissions, electric cars come out on top, too. To create the same amount of emissions, the Union of Concerned Scientists found that the average fuelled car will need to travel 32 miles on a gallon, while an EV will travel 79 miles.

Fewer Natural Resources Are Required

It goes without saying that both electric and fuelled cars have a negative impact on the environment. This is because minerals are needed to create EV batteries, and drilling is required for fuel. However, fewer materials are needed for an electric car, which means that there is less of an environmental impact compared to fuelled cars.

Pros and Cons of Electric Cars

There are pros and cons to consider when it comes to electric cars, just like different number plates and vehicle types. Nothing is ever perfect, and while EVs are an improvement to fuelled cars due to lower emissions, they do have cons to be aware of, as well as some positive points that are worth touching on.

Pros

Below are the notable benefits of electric vehicles that you should be aware of:

• EVs are quiet – electric vehicles are notoriously quiet, which means that there will be less noise pollution. This can be seen as both a pro and a con, as quieter vehicles can lead to accidents in both humans and animals.
• Huge reduction is CO2 emissions – no CO2 is emitted from the tailpipe when they are being used, which can save an average of 5m grams of CO2 annually. This also means that they don’t impact pollution in the air, which is crucial in cities where pollution is already worryingly high.
• No petrol or diesel costs – with petrol and diesel constantly becoming increasingly expensive, a huge benefit of EVs is that this is a cost you won’t need to worry about. EVs need up to three times less oil, coolants, and other products to keep it running, which also helps to keep maintenance and repair costs down. Charging an electric vehicle can cost you anywhere from £5–£14, while filling a 55-litre diesel car costs around £80
• Less energy is required – there are fewer parts in an electric vehicle, and these cars have regenerative braking systems. This means that energy is retained when braking, and unlike conventional brake disks, it is more resistant to general wear and tear.

Cons

Below are the cons of EVs that you should know about:

• Producing lithium batteries can cause a lot of CO2 emissions – the lithium batteries used in fully electric vehicles can lead to high carbon emissions due to production. This itself can lead to more CO2 being produced.
• Can’t travel long distances – the average electric vehicle can drive between 150–300 miles on a single charge. There is a lot of variation for fuelled cars, but you can expect to drive between 500–700 miles on a full tank.
• Most EV batteries are produced in Japan, South Korea, and China – these countries often do not use renewable sources for their electricity, which can lead to issues in and of itself, since electricity generation can also be problematic, depending on the source.

Real Change Can Only Happen if Public Transport Goes Electric, Too

In order for real change to happen and CO2 emissions to come down throughout the UK and the rest of the world, it’s imperative for public transport to make the switch to electric, too. In many places, electric transport like buses are already growing in popularity, and the ZEBRA (Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas) programme is well on its way throughout England.

However, in other parts of the UK like Scotland, ScotZEB 2, steps are also being taken to tackle the rising issue of CO2 emissions and the use of fossil fuels in public transport. Overall, huge changes are being implemented across the country, and emissions will continue to go down as we keep switching to electric transport.

Find Out More at Number Plate Clinic

Electric vehicles seem to be the way forward, but it goes without saying that there are still improvements that can be made to make these vehicles more reliable. Even so, with lower emissions and a range of benefits, EVs are the future of the UK, with the government planning to ban the sales of diesel and petrol cars from 2035, so new drivers may have little choice.

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So, are electric cars really better for the environment? While EVs are not perfect, they are definitely a step-up from fuelled vehicles, and have a smaller impact on the environment through lower emissions. However, there are also shortfalls to consider, like the fact that electric cars cannot travel as far as fuelled ones before needing a charge, so remember to take this into consideration if you are thinking about buying one.

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