Electric vehicles’ USP: Green benefits

PATNA: Eco-friendly electric vehicles (EVs) are fast replacing traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles the world over due to several reasons, environmental considerations being the most important of all. The EV industry strikes a perfect balance between economic development and environmental protection.

Experts say that in urban areas, conventional transport has a significant impact on PM2.5 concentrations in the atmosphere. In addition to having an effect on buildings, agriculture, and the environment, ICE vehicle emissions also have an effect on people's health. From an environmental perspective, switching from ICE to EV is regarded as beneficial for the climate because of the anticipated reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, they say.

No fuel, no emissions

One of the significant advantages of EVs is their positive impact on environment. Traditional ICE vehicles which run on diesel or petrol emit harmful gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide from their tailpipes, severely polluting the environment. However, pure EVs do not need a tailpipe and, as a result, do not produce any harmful emissions.

Academic dean of NIT Patna, Sanjeev Kumar Sinha, who has an expertise in transportation engineering, said the emissions per km from driving EVs are far less than those from driving petrol or diesel-run ICE vehicles. EVs emit almost zero tailpipe emissions, helping reduce the carbon footprint. The carbon footprint can be further reduced by utilizing renewable energy to charge the EVs, he said.

Better for the climate

Bihar State Pollution Control Board’s chairman D K Shukla said that electric vehicles are saving the climate. ICE vehicles contribute significantly to green house gas emissions and, hence, these vehicles are being replaced by EVs everywhere. In Bihar, people are being encouraged to shift from ICE to EVs. Most public transport are also being changed to EVs. The board will soon be writing to the state transport department to withdraw school buses with ICE running on diesel or petrol, he said.

Good for health

Indian Medical Association (IMA)’s past president Dr Rajiv Ranjan Prasad pointed out that emissions from ICE vehicles are not only bad for our planet, they are also bad for our health. Air pollutants from gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles cause asthma, bronchitis, cancer, and even premature deaths. The health impacts of localized air pollution last a lifetime, with the effects borne out in lung damage, and heart conditions. However, electric vehicles will reduce all these health risks considerably, he said.

Reduced noise pollution

As compared to ICE vehicles and exhaust systems, electric vehicles are relatively quieter and, as a result, generate less noise pollution. The exhaust headers on gasoline and diesel vehicles may include silencers to lessen noise, but they are typically louder than their normal counterparts. According to Science for Society’s president Arun Kumar, electric vehicles have the silent functioning capability as there is no engine under the hood. No engine means no noise. Electric vehicles are so silent that manufacturers have to add false sounds in order to make them safe for pedestrians, he added.