Are EVs more polluting than Conventional Vehicles?

The demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is growing over conventional vehicles due to their low operating cost, increasing EVs-related infrastructures.

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A recent study done by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur claims Electric cars are more polluting than conventional, hybrid cars.

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1. Operation of electric vehicles 2. Manufacturing of EVs & components

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EVs have zero emission of harmful gases like NOx, SOx, CO, and CO2 during their driving time. But still, EVs have an indirect link with the pollutants emitted from them.

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Electricity can be generated using coal, natural gas, nuclear reaction, and from renewable sources like wind, solar & more.

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Conventional Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs) use disc brakes while EVs use “regenerative braking” that restores braking energy to the car’s battery to power the car which reduces the use of brakes.

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EV battery manufacturing contributes 31-46% of total pollution, mainly due to rare and toxic metals like cobalt, which are challenging to mine.

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Electric Vehicles’ popularity is growing continuously because of their unique features as compared to IC engines like less operating cost and being eco-friendly.

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The demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is growing over conventional vehicles due to their low operating cost, increasing EVs-related infrastructures.

A recent study done by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur claims Electric cars are more polluting than conventional, hybrid cars.

1. Operation of electric vehicles 2. Manufacturing of EVs & components

How EVs cause Pollution

EVs have zero emission of harmful gases like NOx, SOx, CO, and CO2 during their driving time. But still, EVs have an indirect link with the pollutants emitted from them.

Pollution Caused by EVs During its operation (driving)

Electricity can be generated using coal, natural gas, nuclear reaction, and from renewable sources like wind, solar & more.

Source of electricity generation

Conventional Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs) use disc brakes while EVs use “regenerative braking” that restores braking energy to the car’s battery to power the car which reduces the use of brakes.

Pollution from Brake and Tyres

EV battery manufacturing contributes 31-46% of total pollution, mainly due to rare and toxic metals like cobalt, which are challenging to mine.

Manufacturing of EVs & components

Electric Vehicles’ popularity is growing continuously because of their unique features as compared to IC engines like less operating cost and being eco-friendly.

Conclusion