Are electrical vehicles worth it? Are they really eco-friendly?

Electrical vehicles are in and are being promoted as an eco-friendly and better option to gasoline vehicles. How true are these claims?

Electrical vehicles vs gasoline vehicles 

1. Cost of running 

It is said that electrical vehicles (EVs) need only INR 1-1.5 per km whereas gasoline vehicles require 7-8 INR per km drive. Thus, EVs save on money per month. The exact amount saved depends on EV model, brand, driving habits, petrol and electricity cost in an area etc. The cost can reduce with charging EV at home or during non-peak hours at charging stations. Keeping EV properly maintained also cuts costs.

Overall, money saving per month with EVs is to the tune of 65% of the monthly cost of running gasoline vehicles. This would help those who depend on cars a lot and do a lot of traveling in it. But for people who use cars sparingly, the savings might be less and not much different from that with gasoline vehicles. 

2. Maintenance cost and battery replacement cost 

EVs require 50% less maintenance than gasoline vehicles, according to NRDC. Battery life is also longer at 10-12 years unlike gasoline vehicles batteries that have a lifespan of around 3-5 years only. 

But currently, cost of EV batteries is double that of normal car batteries. It might reduce with time. But disposal of EV batteries can erode environment due to its harmful mineral content. 

3. Carbon emissions 

EV have less carbon emissions. Hence good for environment. But electricity used for the charging if produced from fossil fuels can cause raised carbon footprint. In India, as of now, 72% electricity is generated from coal, 9.6% from oil and CNG, and 2.5% from nuclear power. Wind and solar and biomass or domestic waste renewable sources for electricity production are still less but their proportion is increasing. India also imports some electricity from its neighbors. 

Manufacturing of the EV and batteries also involve non-ecofriendly process. Lithium mining can affect the habitat and cause water pollution and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Mining of lithium requires large amounts of water and can deplete an area of it. 

Also, read The ironical gender bias in India 

Also, cobalt mining involves unsafe social conditions and there are ethical concerns with it. 

The disposal of battery of EV is also more unsafe for environment because it has lithium, cobalt and other rare elements that can harm earth and humans and other living creatures and plants. 

4. Dependence on electricity 

EVs require a constant supply of electricity for smooth functioning. The power disruptions especially in rural areas might be a problem in its proper use, personal or commercial. 

5. Limited charging points

Currently, EV charging points are very limited. Therefore, there might be long queues at the available stations. 

6. Charging time 

EVs require more time to be recharged unlike the gasoline vehicles in which filling of fuel is completed in a few minutes. This can waste time and difficult for a busy person. 

7. Initial cost

EVs cost higher than regular gasoline vehicles. It is almost three times that of the regular vehicles. 

8. Limited mobility 

EVs have limited mobility range and is not suitable for long trips. Moreover, its ascent upslope is hard. 

9. Acceleration and energy efficiency 

EV has a quick acceleration. Its energy efficiency is more. That means it can travel more with same amount of energy. Or for same distance, it uses less energy. 

10. Noise

EV produces less noise at low speed. But at high speed, noise is similar to gasoline vehicles. This is due to tyre and wind noise. 

11. Ride

Ride with EV is generally smoother. 

12. Resale value 

EV has a poor resale value. It has a depreciation of 49.1% in five years. Unlike gasoline vehicles where depreciation is lesser within the same period. 

13. Danger

EV have electrical circuits. There can be short circuits and the risk of fire is more with EV than gasoline vehicles. The batteries can cause an explosion due to a wrong chain of reactions within them. Though rare, there are chances of electrocution with EVs. 

Additionally, these fires produced by an EV battery explosion is difficult to extinguish. They take a long time to cool and might also reignite. 

Moreover, these EV battery explosion leads to the release in the environment of harmful chemicals such as heavy metals, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen fluoride. 

14. Malfunctions

Due to the complex nature of electrical 

circuits in EV, malfunctioning is 

common. 

Thus, EVs have their plus points. But they 

are not devoid of problems and can be

unsafe too. Decide after reading this 

whether you want to buy it or not.

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