WILL EVS SAVE THE PLANET?
IF ELECTRIC vehicles depend on unsustainable battery materials and electricity for charging, are they really any more eco-friendly than a petrol or diesel car? Environmentalists have long lobbied for the urgent transition to a ‘greener’ and decarbonised electric transportation system, to avoid billions in health costs and further global warming.
On the other hand, sceptics argue EVs are worse for the planet since they have large battery packs made up resource-limited materials and are mainly charged off coal-fired electricity. Some also endorse liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a better and already well-established approach.
So, which ‘side’ is right?
CHARGING WITH FOSSIL FUELS
IF ELECTRIC cars are charged with power from high-emitting coal-fired stations, are they worse for the environment than petrol and diesel cars?
According to the Clean Energy Council, renewable electricity sources (solar, wind and hydro) made up 35.9 percent of Australia’s grid in 2022.
Therefore, residential and business buildings that don’t (or can’t) instal solar panels to charge EVs already have
