Why Do Electric Vehicles Save the Environment?

CHAPTER 2 Electric Vehicles Save the Environment and Energy

“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” —Mr. Spock (from Star Trek, The Motion Picture)

Besides the fact that the consumer has been consistently interested in the electric car (despite popular reporting by car companies), there is a newly sparked (no pun intended) excitement in either plug-in hybrid electric cars (which are more electric car than hybrid) and electric cars (Tesla, TH!NK City, RAV4, EV1). This only means great things for the planet. Specifically, zero tailpipe emissions and greater air quality in our major metropolitan cities. And with this is a significant reduction in overall energy use.

Why Do Electric Vehicles Save the Environment?

Electric vehicles are zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). They do not emit toxic compounds into our atmosphere. Even the power plants that generate the power for EVs are held to a higher standard (meaning a lower level of toxic emissions) compared to the emissions related to gasoline-powered vehicles. Everything going into and coming out of an internal combustion vehicle, on the other hand, is toxic and it’s still classified among the least efficient mechanical devices on the planet.

Far worse than its inefficient and self-destructive operating nature is the legacy of environmental problems (summarized in Figure 2-1) created by internal combustion engine vehicles when multiplied by hundreds of millions/billions of vehicles. The greatest of these problems include the following:

• Dependence on foreign oil (environmental and national security risk) • Greenhouse effect (atmospheric heating) • Toxic air pollution • Wasted heat generated by its inefficiency