While everyone seems to be impressed by the concept of going all-electric for saving the planet by reducing carbon emissions, does the picture have more to offer than what meets the eye?
This article delves into the details of the secrets of car pollution problems and what different steps are being taken for reducing the issues.
Do EVs Reduce Global Pollution?
While driving an electric vehicle may be able to save the planet from the emissions produced by gasoline and diesel engines during operation, the overall picture is quite different.
Pollution Due to Manufacturing Of EVs
Electric vehicles are manufactured in factories similar to those used to produce conventional vehicles.
If you consider the overall carbon emissions of energy generation and incorporate that into EV manufacturing, you will be surprised to learn that even the production of an EV places significant strain on the environment.
However, let’s go outside the confines of the factory and consider the impact of the different components involved in running a car.
How Bad Is It?
Let’s take a closer look at the overall impact that various vehicle components have on the environment.
Effect Of Batteries
Any vehicle, whether electric or gasoline-powered, requires fuel to operate. The only difference in EVs is that they use rechargeable batteries. However, these batteries, like all other consumer products, have a limited lifespan after which they become redundant.
After a battery is no longer useful, it becomes a major point of concern as it is disposed of in the environment which adds to pollution problems.
Because batteries contain special chemicals, when they are discarded into the atmosphere, they have side effects that can impact the overall environment.
Predicament of Tires
Tires, which are another important component of all vehicles, are also discarded after a certain period and mileage. According to one report, three billion tires were manufactured in 2019 alone.
With the average tire lasting only four years at max, the number of tires that become useless every year is enormous.
While many tires are burned, used in the cement industry, or cut to be used in the form of tire carpets, overall usage remains a fraction of the total production, and utilization of these tires remains a major issue that has yet to be addressed.
How Is The World Reacting To Resolve The Issues?
Here are some of the steps that are currently being taken to reduce global pollution and make renewable energy available for cars.
Use of Renewable Energy Sources
Tesla is not only the leader in EV production, but it also excels at using solar energy to power its Giga factory.
The use of such renewable energy sources protects the environment from the negative effects that are normally associated with factories.
Issues Related To Batteries
Companies such as Northvolt are attempting to reduce the overall impact of batteries by providing an 80% lower carbon footprint and 97% recyclable components, and the overall results are remarkable.
This means that the effects are likely to bring down the pollution problems drastically.
Issues Related To Worn Out Tires
A recent method has been developed in which the sulfur-to-sulfur bonds that keep these tires intact are broken down, allowing the tires to be recycled easily and thus mitigating the global environmental conditions associated with their use.
Final Verdict
While global vehicle pollution is rising, efforts to reduce pollution’s impact are also being increased, thanks to several companies dedicated to the cause.
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