November 23, 2022 . 5 min read

Are Electric Cars Better for Environment Than Gas Powered Cars? 

Yes, Around the world, every automaker and government is promoting electric vehicles as it is a key technology that can fight against climate change as it reduces pollution which is better for the environment. Even though all fully electric vehicles are not exactly zero-emission vehicles, they have zero local emissions. But, electric vehicles do not release carbon dioxide on roads, but it is used somewhere. Anyways, electric vehicles are much better for the environment than internal combustion engines. 

For better clear information about this topic, jump into the article that was given by evcarshub.com experts and know why EVs are far better than ICE vehicles. Read on to learn!!!

  • What are the Different Kinds of EVs? How Do They Work?
  • Environmental Impact: EV vs ICE
  • Can Electric Vehicles Reduce Pollution?
  • Top Ways To Know That EVs are Better For the Environment
  • Is a hybrid car good for the environment?
  • How do electric vehicles help to tackle climate change?
  • Why Electric vehicles are better than ICE vehicles?

What are the Different Kinds of EVs? How Do They Work?

EVs are electric vehicles that use one or more electric motors, powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, like other electronic devices. Compared to conventional cars that run on gases and fuels, these electric vehicles are less polluting. And these cars have a guaranteed life span of 8-10 years. And EV driving range is purely based on its battery life. As EVs do not depend on fossil fuel, most electric vehicles do not emit carbon dioxide on roads which will not make pollution that impacts the environment.

But in this also we have different types of Electric vehicles, look into them carefully to know if all those types are better for the environment or not. Currently, we have three types of electric vehicles in the market.

  • Battery Electric Vehicles(BEV)
  • Hybrid Electric Vehicles(HEV)
  • Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles(PHEV)

Let us look into them in detail one by one. 

Battery Electric Vehicles(BEV): These vehicles come completely electric with rechargeable batteries, and these electric vehicles are also known as plug-in EVs. As these electric vehicles use the electricity they will not have a gasoline engine, fuel tank, or tailpipe. And BEVs will have electric charging outlets externally. These will impact our environment as they will not release carbon dioxide outside.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles(HEV): These hybrid electric vehicles are manufactured with both gasoline and electricity. And these HEVs rely on regenerative braking for battery charging. These electric vehicles are used their electric motor while driving which is supplemented with the gasoline engine accordingly with the increase of speed. And these may impact the environment as they are using gasoline engines.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles(PHEV): These are also called extended-range electric vehicles. And this is also partly powered by electricity and partly powered by gasoline. They have batteries with an external outlet and accordingly, they also have regenerative braking capabilities. To recharge the car battery and to extend the vehicle's range this vehicle uses a gas engine. This is also not much better for the environment.

Finally, if we see full battery electric vehicles are better for the environment as they do not release carbon dioxide outside. And these HEV and PHEVs are also better for the environment compared with fully fueled or gasoline cars. 

Environmental Impact: EV vs ICE

When it comes to comparison between an electric vehicle and internal combustion vehicles, we will tell you electric vehicles are far better than ICE vehicles even though electric vehicles have gasoline engines. Because internal combustion engine vehicles have no limit to the exhaust coming from their tailpipes. And if we see the process of fuel that needs in these vehicles also produces much pollution to the environment. We call these as upstream emissions. 

And not only these, but the manufacturing process of ICE vehicles also has a negative impact on the environment. As we mentioned in the above sections, EVs also create upstream emissions, but EVs are the cleanest option for the environment overall compared with ICEs as electric vehicle produces half of the conventional vehicles' carbon emissions over their lifetime. 

Can Electric Vehicles Reduce Pollution?

Yes, research shows that electric vehicles are better than conventional vehicles as they are less impact on the environment. And also many battery suppliers and automakers are trying to improve the sustainability of the battery production process by doing things like reducing the use of problematic materials, such as cobalt. So, electric vehicles reduce pollution as they release fewer upstream emissions. And also manufacturers are taking care to avoid emissions that can cause pollution. 

Top Ways To Know That EVs are Better For the Environment

As a cleaner alternative, electric vehicles are the most important step in sustainable transportation. And also we have provided you with some of the ways to know clearly that electric vehicles are better than ICE vehicles for the environment.

  • No Pipeline Emissions: Compared to ICE vehicles, electric vehicles uses no pipeline emissions which helps you to release carbon dioxide into the environment. 
  • Clean Battery Production: In electric vehicles, most emissions come because of the batteries but as years pass on the manufacturers are providing batteries that cause less emission, as they are not using much carbon. Compared with previous years, the carbon footprint in the batteries became 2 to 3 times less. Still, they are working on it to reduce carbon. 
  • EVs Contribute Fewer Emissions: Internal combustion vehicles come with the fuel which causes a lot of upstream emissions. Not only by fuel, by manufacturing, and based on many things ICE vehicles emit more emissions. Whereas, EVs produce very less emissions compared to ICEs.
  • EV Manufacturers Use Eco-Friendly Materials: As we have mentioned above, most of the emissions in the electric vehicle come while it is manufacturing. So, mostly, manufacturers of electric vehicles are using eco-friendly materials to build lighter and more efficient vehicles. 

FAQs on Are Electric Cars Really Greener?

  1. Is a hybrid car good for the environment?

Yes, these cars are good for city driving and also these cars release fewer emissions compared with fuel or gas engines. Hybrid cars reduce pollution significantly.

  1. How do electric vehicles help to tackle climate change?

When it comes to electric vehicles, they do not release carbon emissions directly outside. They run on electricity. And also manufacturing process also will be done with eco-friendly materials which help to reduce pollution. 

  1. Why Electric vehicles are better than ICE vehicles?

Electric vehicles are better than ICE vehicles as they do not release any carbon dioxide gases that pollute our environment. Whereas, ICE vehicles release 5 to 6 metric tons of carbon dioxide which pollutes the environment very badly.

Bottom Line - The Greener Future

The electric car is consistently better than conventional cars that run on fuel or gas. By reading this article, we hope that you have understood why EVs are better for the environment, and some people may get answers to their question - Are electric cars better for the environment? Still, if you have any suggestions or doubts you can feel free to write us in the comment section. Even though EVs are better for the environment they also have some disadvantages, If you are interested you can check out this article, Why Electric Cars are Bad?