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Electric vehicles are becoming more mainstream as their prices become more affordable. And as battery costs fall, more people will switch from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric cars. However, as more people start driving electric vehicles, what effect will they have on the environment?
This article dives into the environmental benefits of electric cars. But first, we will look at the difference between electric vehicles and ICE cars.
How do electric vehicles differ from ICE cars?
Both types of vehicles transport people but differ in their source of energy and mechanism for producing motion.
The ICE is replaced or augmented with an electric motor that draws power from a battery in an electric vehicle. When the car depends entirely on an electric combo and battery combo, the car is said to be purely electric or battery electric vehicle (BEV). Cars that combine an ICE with an electric motor are known as hybrid electric vehicles. When you can plug a hybrid electric vehicle into the grid to charge, just like a BEV, the car is referred to as a plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV).
As a result of the absence of an ICE in a BEV, it does not burn fossil fuel, which means it does not produce tailpipe emissions.
Now that you know the differences between electric vehicles and ICE cars, we will look at the environmental benefits of electric cars.
Environmental benefits of electric vehicles
Zero tailpipe emissions
As mentioned earlier, purely electric cars do not burn hydrocarbon, hence, do not produce carbon emissions. The transportation sector is a big culprit in environmental pollution, especially when older and less efficient. This pollution leads to many health issues like lungs problems. The fumes produced by ICEs also contribute to global warming.
However, electric car owners help the environment the more they drive. Even PHEVs help because some of their driving is done on the car’s battery.
Reduced well-to-wheel emissions
As electric vehicles increase, the amount of fossil fuel consumed will reduce. This will reduce the energy spent on transporting fuel, which is often derived from fossil fuels that produce dangerous emissions, thereby reducing well-to-wheel emissions.
Reduced noise pollution
Electric vehicles are known for working quietly because of the absence of an ICE. With more electric cars on the road, noise pollution from transportation will reduce. Low levels of noise help with concentration and people living with migraine.
Conclusion
Electric vehicles are eco-friendly. The more people switch from ICE cars, the more the environment benefits.
However, if you need to drive or rent a car in a foreign country, whether electric or not, you need an international driver’s permit. To get one in a matter of hours, check out International Drivers Association by visiting their website. Thousands of drivers trust them already because of their 30-day return and refund policy and 100 percent money-back guarantee. The permits from International Drivers Association are valid for up to three years and are recognized in more than 150 countries.
