Can EVs help us tackle the problem of climate change?

Electric cars are definitely the future – there's no doubt about it. Every year since the Tesla became the world's first all-electric sedan, the automotive industry has worked hard to create new, cutting-edge electric vehicles. We've seen well-established manufacturers add to the list of luxury EVs, but we're also seeing new names emerge with their own models.

Compared to their conventional gasoline counterparts, electric vehicles are faring much better in terms of performance, fuel efficiency, tax credits, and future models. Technically, we're still in the early stages of electric vehicles, and they've already proven to be game-changers. In fact, electric vehicles can play a key role in reducing our carbon footprint. Can EVs help us combat climate change? Let's delve deeper.

Electric vehicles are not entirely free of fossil fuels.

While it's true that electric vehicles don't technically run directly on fossil fuels, since they don't require gasoline to operate, they do run on electricity, which is primarily generated from fossil fuels in many parts of the world. Furthermore, energy is required to manufacture the vehicle itself, especially the battery.

So, no, there is no solution. Fossil fuels are still used in the production and maintenance of electric vehicles, but they are still much more energy-efficient than gasoline-powered vehicles. In countries that rely heavily on coal-fired power generation, the benefits of EVs may be much smaller and are likely more comparable to the efficiency variations of conventional vehicles—i.e., hybrids.

Of course, countries are starting to pay attention to the carbonation of electricity production as the climate problem intensifies, and many are beginning to decarbonize their processes to meet climate targets. In fact, in the UK alone (2019), the lifetime emissions per kilometer driven by a specific EV model were about three times lower than those of a conventional petrol car.

Electric vehicles can be more expensive than petrol cars

In Canada, the cost of buying a brand-new electric vehicle ranges from $32,000 to $160,000. Clearly, that's a wide range. The amount you pay will largely depend on the electric vehicle you choose, as there are currently many manufacturers, options, models, materials, and so on.

Leasing an electric vehicle can help you save considerably if you want to enjoy the benefits of driving an electric vehicle but don't want to spend the money to buy one. You'll receive lower monthly payments, discounts, and you may even avoid the depreciation of EVs. Unfortunately, this means you won't be able to own your electric vehicle, but it will give you time to decide if you want to buy one outright after your lease period.

The bottom line? Do your research. EVs aren't cheap, but they're expected to come down in the next few years as supply and demand increase. What's right for you may depend on your situation. You can always keep your gasoline car and reduce your carbon footprint simply by choosing to drive less, or by opting for carpooling/public transportation as an alternative.

What makes EVs more environmentally friendly than petrol cars?

There are several reasons why EVs can be more environmentally friendly than their gasoline-powered counterparts. Electric cars, as a greener alternative, are gaining popularity, and here's why.

They produce little to no exhaust emissions.

With the exception of hybrid vehicles, EVs produce no exhaust emissions. Unlike their internal combustion engine counterparts—that is, gasoline or diesel vehicles—electric vehicles run on electricity. Rather than refueling, users charge at home or at dedicated charging stations. Exhaust emissions from gasoline vehicles are one of the main contributors to air pollution worldwide.

In some countries, they are built using environmentally friendly methods.

Depending on the country of origin and the manufacturer, many electric vehicles are built with more environmentally friendly, bio-based, or recycled materials. This reduces overall waste produced during manufacturing and decreases the use of fossil fuels.

They use renewable energy for recharging

Electric vehicles use renewable energy for charging, rather than contributing to air pollution. Renewable energy is essentially anything that can be renewed, i.e., wind, hydroelectric, solar, geothermal, etc. Unfortunately, gasoline can only be used once.

Technology is steadily improving over the years. In the near future, we can expect to see fewer gasoline-powered vehicles on the roads and more electric vehicles. Currently, electric vehicles are more expensive to purchase upfront than gasoline-powered vehicles, but as supply and demand increase, production techniques improve, and material options expand, we could begin to see electric vehicles on the road as the norm. Overall, this can help make our world greener with fewer greenhouse gas emissions polluting our air and the environment.

Panda7 wants to help you go green

Contrary to popular belief, going green is easy! While there are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint, including making small changes at home, swapping your traditional mode of transport for an electric alternative (or even public transport), or simply getting a quote with Panda7, we've pledged to plant a tree for every quote requested by our customers, and three for every policy purchased! Getting a quote is easy, free, and requires no obligation on your part. Go green by getting a quote today!