Electric cars ‘pose environmental threat’
Oct 9th, 2012 by Shahista Kassam
Are electric cars the future?
A recent article published by the BBC completely shocked me when I read the very first line that stated, “electric cars might pollute much more than petrol or diesel-powered cars, according to new research” (To read further refer to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19830232).
Electrical cars are the most “greenest of the personal transportation industry” and therefore encouraged to be purchased (Barbara). However, the Norwegian University if Science and Technology study found that greenhouse gas emissions rose dramatically if coal was used to produce electricity for the electric cars (Electric). This means that producing electric cars is not only costly but creates greater greenhouse effects than that of producing vehicles that use petrol and diesel. The article further states, “in addition, producing batteries and electric motors required a lot of toxic minerals such as nickel, copper and aluminum. Hence, the acidification impact is much greater than that of conventional car production” (Electric).
Nevertheless it can be argued that although the process of producing an electric car can lead to greater greenhouse emissions, in the long run these cars are much more efficient than a vehicle using petrol and diesel. The question that arises: is it better for one to consider the long term rather then the short term effects of purchasing an electric car?
Works Cited:
Aaron, Ziv. “About Owning a Hybrid or Electric Car.” Green Living on National Geographic. National Geographic, n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/owning-hybrid-electric-car-2352.html>.
Barbara. “Goal For The Green.” Advantages and Disadvantages of Electric Cars. N.p., 4 Apr. 2011. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://goalforthegreen.com/2011/04/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-electric-cars/>.
“Electric Cars ‘pose Environmental Threat'” BBC News. BBC, 4 Oct. 2012. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19830232>.
Picture Reference:
“Energy and Kids.” Energy and Kids. Bulgaria, 2005. Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://www.kids.esdb.bg/smart_inventions.html>.