Electric vehicles (EVs) are often hailed as a solution to reduce emissions and improve air quality in our cities. But are they really the answer? The truth is, their impact depends on how many of them are on the road.
Right now, despite the buzz around EVs, they’re still a small fraction of all cars out there. So, what can we do in the meantime? Well, focusing on electrifying buses, which contribute more to air pollution than you might think, and finding ways to cut emissions from diesel trucks could make a big difference.
In Australia, while the electricity sector is the biggest emitter, emissions from transport are growing fast. Some say EVs just shift pollution from tailpipe to power plant smokestack. This is partly true, especially if the electricity comes from dirty sources like coal. But as our grid gets greener with more clean energy, this becomes less of a concern.
When EVs charge from solar panels or a renewable-powered grid, they’re basically emissions-free. Even with coal power, EVs are still much cleaner than traditional cars.
But can EVs really make our air cleaner? Yes! Combustion engines release harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Places like Norway and China have seen air quality improve as EVs become more common. In polluted cities, even a small increase in EVs can reduce asthma attacks.
So, how green are EVs really? Compared to regular cars, they’re way better for the environment. Throughout their lifecycle, including production, use, and recycling, they emit only about 12% of the emissions of traditional vehicles.
But here’s the catch: we need more people to actually use EVs. While EV sales are rising, they still make up only a tiny fraction of all vehicles on Australian roads. At this rate, it could take over a decade for EVs to outnumber traditional cars.
That’s why initiatives like New Vehicle Energy Standards are crucial—they speed up the switch to EVs. But even with these efforts, it’ll be years before we see a real drop in transport emissions.
Now, what if our power grid is dirty? Critics say EVs are just a form of greenwashing. If the grid runs on coal, aren’t EVs just as bad? Well, it’s a bit more complicated. While EVs have zero tailpipe emissions, where they’re charged matters. In states with coal-fired power stations, like New South Wales, EVs still produce some emissions. But in places with clean energy, like Tasmania, they’re much cleaner.
But let’s not forget about trucks and buses. Diesel use is rising, mainly due to more trucks on the road. Electric trucks and buses are starting to appear, but they’re still rare. So, while EVs can clean up our air, it’ll take time—and a cleaner grid—to see their full potential.
