The Green Revolution

The Green Revolution

7 ways EVs Contribute to Environmental Sustainability

We are all familiar with the smoke that comes out of most cars, bikes, trucks, or any engine for that matter that burns fuel to draw energy. We are also well aware of the scientifically proven fact that air pollution is one of the fundamental causes behind global warming. Attempts to reverse such damage caused by the automobile industry, namely the development and mass production of EVs are prominent on their own. Everyone is aware that buying an EV or switching to EVs marks one’s name in the lifelong effort to tackle climate change. But that’s yesterday’s news.

Today, we are here to know 7 ways EVs contribute to environmental sustainability.

1. Reduced greenhouse emissions.

Since we are all familiar with the fact that EVs such as iVOOMi do not release any smoke during operation, let’s learn the different ways they help our environment. Without the smoke, the content of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere decreases which eliminates the primary cause of global warming. With, less carbon dioxide in our air, the temperature of the earth will decrease which means the re-emergence of the melting polar caps, a reduction in ocean level and the potential re-emergence of sunken islands and other landmasses. Scientists have calculated that since the pre-industrial age (1750), the concentration of CO2 produced by human activities has increased by almost 50%.

This very data gives us a clear picture of how beautiful the future would be if the entire transportation industry began to adopt EVs and ban ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) Vehicles.

2. Reduced air pollution

We just learned the negative impacts of excess CO2 that most vehicles release. We also learned the immense positive impact of switching to EVs will have on our environment. Now, we learn about the other pollutants that are released along with CO2 through the exhaust of all ICE vehicles.

Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and unburnt gasoline are the majority of air pollutants besides CO2 that we release from the exhaust of our bikes or cars. These pollutants together impair vision, causes irritation in the eyes and breathing problems. These pollutants react with fresh air and result in a thick smog which is directly linked to a myriad of lung problems beginning with asthma and ending with lung cancer. This smog also hinders sunlight from passing through thus making it harder for plants to photosynthesise and clean the air. If all that is not bad enough, nitrogen monoxide can contribute to the formation of acid rain which is incredibly harmful to not only all living beings but it corrodes buildings as well.

3. Energy efficiency

One may know that EVs are much more efficient than the run-of-the-mill Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles but one may not know the vastness of that difference. Most ICE vehicles convert 17% to 21% of the energy stored as petrol or diesel in the fuel tank. Whereas an EV can convert over 60% of the energy stored as electricity in the battery. Innumerable manufacturers of ICE Vehicles have spent copious amounts of money on research and development in order to improve the efficiency of their vehicles but this is as far they reached. On the other hand, battery technology such as the ones used in iVOOMi are at the beginning phases of their trials and as the research and technology advances, the vastness of their difference only escalates thus making EVs an even better choice as time progresses.

4. Reduced noise pollution

We may have heard about noise pollution but given the various other problems associated with ICE vehicles, noise pollution, ironically, has made very little noise. Given the unawareness surrounding this issue, it is important to know its impact on our environment and our health.

Noise pollution has an adverse effect on the lives of millions of people. Numerous studies have proven that there is a direct link between noise and health. Problems related to noise include various stress-related illnesses, speech interference, high blood pressure, sleep disruption, hearing loss and loss of productivity. Moreover, the incessant sound of engines disturbs the sleep cycle of several nocturnal species and may result in the loss of their numbers over a period of time.

5. Recycling of batteries

The importance of the 3 R’s such as Reuse, Reduce and Recycle is apparent but when dealing with batteries of EVs the R that is most important is Recycle.

Yes, the batteries used in EVs such as iVOOMi can be recycled and doing so reduces the environmental impact of their EVs. Batteries that contain Lithium-ion technology have valuable materials such as nickel, lithium and cobalt, which when extracted can be reused in other products. Recycling batteries reduces the need to mine these materials, which can be environmentally damaging as well as precipitating the immoral mining of such metals in impoverished nations by poor miners under harsh and often fatal conditions.

6. Reduced oil dependence 

By now we are all familiar with the hazardous impact of petroleum that burns and causes air pollution. But the truth is, the pollution that is eventually caused by petroleum begins well before it ever reaches an ICE vehicle.

Crude oil which is extracted from within the earth is refined and then moved through trains, tankers, or large ships before it reaches your nearest petrol pump. Either of the three ways, requires consuming a tremendous amount of fuel which as we all know causes air pollution.

Now we know how bad things can be when everything in transportation of that oil goes according to schedule but what happens where there’s a problem? What are the ramifications of such disasters?

The immense environmental impact of such disasters on the ocean includes oil spills, habitat destruction, loss of marine life, marine pollution etc. but if such a tragedy occurred on land, it could lead to tremendous explosion, loss of human and wild lives, degradation of soil and various health hazards. Knowing the immense disasters fuel can cause before ever reaching our doorstep, one must wonder about the alternative to such dangers.

7. Cleaner production

Though EVs do not produce any smoke while in operation, they do need energy to manufacture the vehicles and to charge the batteries. What happens if all the energy is
produced by burning oil or coal?

Well, as it turns out even under such conditions, the incredible efficiency of EVs such as iVOOMi still consumes less energy over the entire course of their lifecycle. This efficiency in itself is an incredible feat of engineering and innovation but we do not stop there.

Companies such as iVOOMi are dedicated to staying on course of sustainability and ensuring that the energy used to manufacture and power EVs over the course of their entire life cycle is drawn from renewable or sustainable sources.

In conclusion, knowing all the details of how EVs are the answer to the major problems regarding environmental sustainability can significantly help one make the right choice. Information, since the earliest civilization, has been credited as the source of ultimate power.

We do our part to make sure each and every individual is well-informed so that they can make the right choice.

Some frequently asked questions:

1. Are electric vehicles the future?

Yes, they are. Given the efficiency as well as the environmental benefits, the future of the automotive industry will slowly transition towards electric vehicles.

2. Can electric vehicles reduce carbon footprint emissions?

Yes, EVs emit somewhere between 30% to 70% less emissions than standard ICE vehicles. This difference can be increased if EVs are manufactured and powered using renewable or sustainable energies.

3. How do electric vehicles reduce carbon emissions?

EVs are not only emission-free but their incredible efficiency gives an advantage over the consumption of power needed to operate. Even if an EV was manufactured and powered by energy obtained from fossil fuel, the efficiency at which they operate helps them reduce carbon emissions.

4. How developed can electric vehicles be by 2030?

By 2030, the advancement of technology will make all parts of an EV recyclable. Moreover, the capacity of batteries will significantly increase thus increasing the distance one can travel in a single charge. Lastly, the manufacturing and powering of EVs will be done from renewable or sustainable energy thus making a significant impact on carbon emissions.

5. Are electric vehicles zero emissions?

An electric vehicle does not emit any smoke during operation but they are manufactured and powered using fossil fuels. Despite that, the incredible efficiency of EVs makes them a better alternative than traditional ICE vehicles.  Given the innovation and investment to bring about the EV revolution worldwide, the day we stop using fossil fuels in any part of the process is not far away.