The Life-Saving Benefits of Electric Cars for a Greener Tomorrow
The world of electric cars is expanding rapidly beyond just cars, with electric buses, garbage trucks, and delivery vehicles becoming more common. California recently debuted the nation’s first electric fire truck, setting a new standard for sustainability in emergency services. With significant investment in electrification and digitalization, the industry is expected to continue growing and innovating. Experts predict that by 2030, over half of new car sales in Europe will be fully electric, indicating a promising future for the industry.
The electrification revolution is just beginning, and the future looks bright for eco-friendly transportation!
Electric Vehicle Growth Boosted by €180bn Investment Plan
On Tuesday, Volkswagen announced plans to invest 180 billion euros ($193 billion) over the next five years in a bid to decrease electric vehicle costs and protect its market share. More than two-thirds of the company’s five-year investment budget will be focused on electrification and digitalization, including up to 15 billion euros allocated for batteries and raw materials.
Volkswagen’s weak final Q4 results caused a 2.6% drop in shares by 1122 GMT on Tuesday, missing earnings expectations by 3%. The company aims to fulfill CEO Oliver Blume’s 10-point plan, with investment decisions focused on this goal. It plans to start production at its first North American plant in Canada in 2027. Volkswagen is expected to reveal the results of a ‘virtual equity story’ exercise on June 21, with battery unit PowerCo as a likely candidate for the stock market.
Moreover, the company’s investment comes as transportation is the largest contributor to climate pollution in the United States, and it is crucial that we reduce emissions from vehicles to combat the effects of climate change. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, transportation accounts for almost 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, with cars and trucks being the largest contributors.
The negative impact of air pollutants from gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles extends beyond the environment and can cause significant health problems. These pollutants have been linked to asthma, bronchitis, cancer, and premature death, and studies have shown that air pollution disproportionately affects low-income communities and communities of color.
Plus, a study conducted by Harvard University found that long-term exposure to harmful fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with increased COVID-19 mortality rates in the United States. Gasoline and diesel combustion in car engines are primary sources of PM2.5 pollution, highlighting the urgent need for cleaner transportation solutions.
In light of these concerns, Volkswagen’s investment in areas such as battery production and raw material sourcing is critical to accelerating the transition to cleaner, electric vehicles. The company’s efforts to reduce the cost of electric vehicles will make them more accessible to a wider range of consumers, thereby increasing their adoption and reducing emissions from transportation.
As per research study conducted by Duke University, the health and environmental costs of gasoline and diesel fuel can be significant, with each gallon of gasoline carrying a health and environmental cost of up to $3.80, while diesel used in larger vehicles carries an additional $4.80 in social costs to our health and climate per gallon. By investing in cleaner, electric vehicles, we can reduce these costs and promote a more sustainable transportation system.
We believe Electric cars are the future!
Going Green, Save Lives!
The electric car industry is facing significant challenges in 2023 due to the high demand for electric cars in various countries. Manufacturers of electric car batteries are facing difficulty in extending battery life as the metals that make it up are rare and expensive, and there is a lack of common standards to monitor the health and quality of the batteries. These challenges have pushed manufacturers to find alternative materials for the costly raw materials that make up batteries. Some companies have started adopting lignin extracted from wood, which contains carbon. Battery life and how far a car can go on a single charge are the criteria that the user must choose his car based on.
Electric vehicles have a smaller carbon footprint than gasoline-powered cars, and electricity across the board is cleaner and cheaper as a fuel for vehicles, even when that electricity comes from the dirtiest grid. Yet, in the manufacturing process, electric vehicles produce more global warming emissions than the average gasoline vehicle, as the lithium-ion batteries require a lot of materials and energy to build.
Once the vehicles get on the road, though, they outperform gasoline cars until the end of their lives. As more electric vehicles hit the market, new recharging solutions will be required for people and businesses without the same access at home. Workplaces and public charging locations in shopping centers, parking garages, and workplaces will be key to democratizing access to electric cars.
Likewise, electric buses may be the key to the electric vehicle revolution, as they are a reliable and affordable form of transportation that is a cornerstone of daily life in many cities. California has committed to a 100% electric transit bus fleet by 2040. Electric trucks, on the other hand, generate massive amounts of pollution and create “death zones” in some communities. Earthjustice has worked with communities to implement the first electric truck manufacturing standard in the U.S., requiring truck makers to sell a certain percentage of zero-emission trucks by 2024. The goal of Earthjustice is to ensure that everyone, particularly those most impacted by pollution, has the option to use truly clean and zero-emissions vehicles. The Electric Vehicle Freedom Act would establish a network of electric charging stations alongside public roads to encourage the wider adoption of electric vehicles. Earthjustice attorneys are also working to help the transportation sector transition away from gasoline combustion to zero emissions.
In conclusion, the rise of electric vehicles has brought significant benefits such as reduced emissions, lower fuel costs, and increased comfort for drivers. To accelerate the adoption of Electric cars, it is important for cities to invest in charging infrastructure and for individuals to advocate for change with local officials. With major automakers like General Motors and Volkswagen investing heavily in EVs, and improvements in battery technology and charging infrastructure, the future looks bright for the continued growth of the electric vehicle market.
“Electric vehicles are an essential strategy in the immediate term to reduce local emissions and help improve local air quality – Kevin Emerson, Author of Young Adult Books”.
