Electric cars have gained significant attention in recent years as a more environmentally friendly alternative to

traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. But what is an electric vehicle?

An electric vehicle (EV) is a type of vehicle that is powered by electricity instead of traditional internal combustion
engines that run on fossil fuels. Electric vehicles use one or more electric motors to propel the vehicle forward, relying
on electrical energy stored in onboard batteries or other energy storage devices. There are three main types of electric
vehicles:
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV): Also known as an all-electric vehicle, a BEV is solely powered by electricity. It
uses a large battery pack to store electrical energy and an electric motor to convert that energy into mechanical power
to drive the vehicle's wheels. BEVs do not have a combustion engine and produce zero tailpipe emissions.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV): A PHEV combines an internal combustion engine (usually fueled by
gasoline or diesel) with an electric motor and a battery. PHEVs can be charged by plugging them into an electrical power
source, allowing them to operate in electric-only mode for a limited range. Once the battery charge is depleted, the
internal combustion engine takes over, providing additional range and flexibility.
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV): HEVs are powered by both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.
The electric motor assists the engine during acceleration and deceleration, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
However, unlike PHEVs, HEVs cannot be plugged in to recharge the battery. The battery in an HEV is typically recharged
through regenerative braking or the internal combustion engine.

But, how does electric vehicles work compared with normal vehicles?

Electric vehicles (EVs) work differently from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). Here's a
comparison of how they operate:
Power Source: ICEVs rely on an internal combustion engine that burns fossil fuels (such as gasoline or diesel) to
generate power. EVs, on the other hand, use an electric motor powered by electricity stored in a battery.
Propulsion System: In an ICEV, the engine generates power, which is transmitted to the wheels through a
transmission system, typically with the help of a gearbox. In an EV, the electric motor provides direct power to the
wheels, eliminating the need for a gearbox.
Maintenance: ICEVs have more complex mechanical systems, including engines, transmissions, and exhaust
systems, which require regular maintenance and servicing. EVs have fewer moving parts, resulting in lower maintenance
needs. Electric motors are generally more durable and require minimal maintenance compared to internal combustion
engines.
Driving Experience: EVs tend to provide instant torque and smooth acceleration due to the characteristics of
electric motors. They also operate more quietly compared to the noise produced by internal combustion engines. ICEVs
offer a familiar driving experience for those accustomed to traditional vehicles.
Fueling/Charging: ICEVs require refueling at gas stations, where liquid fuel is pumped into the vehicle's fuel
tank. EVs, on the other hand, are charged by connecting them to an external power source, usually through a charging
cable. Charging can be done at home, public charging stations, or dedicated fast-charging stations.
Energy Storage: ICEVs don't have an energy storage system; they rely on a continuous supply of fuel from the
tank. EVs have a large battery pack that stores electrical energy, which is used to power the electric motor. The battery
is rechargeable and determines the range and performance of the vehicle.

So what are the advantages and disadvantages of using batteries in EVs?

While electric cars do have certain environmental benefits, it is essential to consider both their positive and negative
impacts. Here are some key points regarding the environmental impact of using batteries in EVs:
Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Electric cars produce zero tailpipe emissions, meaning they do not emit carbon
dioxide (CO2) or other pollutants during operation. This contributes to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions, which are the primary drivers of climate change.
Improved Air Quality: Electric cars help to improve local air quality by reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides
(NOx) and particulate matter (PM) that contribute to air pollution and can harm human health.
 Renewable Energy Integration: They can be charged using electricity from renewable energy sources such as
solar and wind power. This allows for the reduction of fossil fuel dependency in the transportation sector and further
decreases carbon emissions.
Energy Efficiency: Electric motors are more efficient than internal combustion engines, converting a higher
percentage of energy from the grid into motion. This efficiency can help reduce overall energy consumption and reliance
on fossil fuels.
On the other hand, using electric car batteries poses threat to the environment.
Their batteries need rare metals: like lithium, the lightest metal and the lightest solid element under normal
conditions. Chile produces the largest amount of lithium (8,800 tonnes per year), with other big producers including
Argentina and China, while Bolivia has the world’s largest known reserves. Other metals used in electric cars include
copper, cobalt, aluminium, nickel and sometimes manganese, along with conductive non-metal graphite. There are rich
cobalt deposits in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it lies on the surface and is picked up by
miners who include women and children. Cobalt is toxic to humans and most of these miners work with little or no
protective equipment. It has been suggested that we will struggle to create large numbers of electric cars in Europe in
the near future, simply because we don’t have sufficient access to sources of lithium to make the batteries and we don’t
have the factories to make them in either.
Battery Production and Disposal: The production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries requires significant amounts
of energy and the extraction of raw materials, including lithium, cobalt, and nickel. The extraction and processing of
these materials can have environmental and social impacts. Additionally, the recycling and disposal of EV batteries
present challenges in terms of managing potential waste and recovering valuable materials.
Electricity Generation: The environmental impact of electric cars depends on the source of electricity used for
charging. If the electricity comes from coal-fired power plants or other non-renewable sources, the overall
environmental benefit of electric cars may be diminished. Making electric cars creates more emissions. To get a real
idea of how much greenhouse gas is emitted during the manufacture of an electric car, you have to look at how its
components are sourced and made. The raw materials for making the car have to be mined, and the process of mining
creates a lot of greenhouse gases. Then the raw materials have to be refined before they can be used, which again
emits more greenhouse gas. Then more greenhouse gas is emitted in the manufacturing process.
Of course the above is also true when manufacturing a petrol or diesel car. In fact, taking into account the whole
production process, making a petrol or diesel car releases about 7 to 10 tonnes of CO2.
Making an electric car releases roughly the same amount of CO2, but then you have to add in the production of
the battery. Estimates suggest that 150kg of CO2 are released for every 1 kiloWatt hour (kWh) of battery capacity. For
an electric car to have a decent range (say 300 miles) between charges, it needs a battery that’s at least 60kWh in
capacity. This means that a further 9 tonnes of CO2 will be emitted during the making of an electric car, giving a total
of 16-19 tonnes of CO2 emitted. So at this point, an electric car seems worse for the environment than a fossil fuel one.

Infrastructure and Grid Capacity: Widespread adoption of electric cars will require a robust charging infrastructure and
an upgrade to the power grid to accommodate increased electricity demand. This presents challenges in terms of
infrastructure development and managing peak electricity loads. And, You can’t drive as far in an electric car. Although
battery technology is improving all the time, this is a fact at the moment. The best electric cars now have ranges of well
over 300 miles between charges. But many have a range of just 150 miles or less between charges, which means they
are much more suited for use in cities and on short, local journeys, rather than for long-distance travel. And to recharge
them, they need at least half an hour of charging at a dedicated, high voltage charging point - the kind you see at
motorway services. Compare that with the time it takes to fill the tank of a petrol or diesel-engine car and the fact that
many new cars can now go 500 miles or more between refills and it’s obvious that fossil fuels still have a distinct
advantage in this area. Using the heater or aircon in an electric car will also have an impact on their range, and batteries
hold less charge when it’s cold.

In summary, while electric cars offer significant environmental benefits in terms of reduced emissions and
improved air quality, they also come with certain challenges related to battery production, electricity sources,
infrastructure, and the overall life cycle impact. Continued technological advancements, investments in renewable
energy, and responsible battery management are crucial for maximizing the environmental benefits of electric cars and
minimizing their potential negative impacts.