Are Electric Cars Really Better for the Environment?

If you’re thinking about upgrading your Hammond commute with an electric vehicle, you may be wondering, “Are electric cars really better for the environment than gas-powered vehicles?” Take a closer look at the environmental benefits of electric cars with Sutton Ford below to find out if it’s worth making the switch.

Environmental Benefits of Electric Cars

You may have heard about the benefits of electric cars, such as the fact that they don’t have tailpipe emissions and can operate on electricity generated from renewable energy sources, including wind and solar.

However, some concerns have been raised about whether electric cars are actually better for the environment or not. Let’s dive in, shall we?

Energy Sources

Your electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid needs to be charged, so where that power is coming from matters. Your EV will most likely use power from a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy sources, as sustainable energy is still a growing process in the United States.

Fortunately, there are still ways to access clean power in the meantime. In fact, many power suppliers offer customers the option to purchase renewable energy directly from them.

Batteries

What about the greenhouse gas emissions produced by EV battery production? Electric vehicles currently use lithium-ion batteries, a majority of which are produced by coal-powered plants in China. While this isn’t ideal, many automakers are partnering with more sustainable battery suppliers in other countries such as Japan and South Korea. There are also new projects underway to expand EV battery production to North America and Europe.

But, what happens when the batteries can no longer be used? Since they contain lithium, nickel, cobalt, and other rare elements, EV batteries must be carefully disposed of to protect the environment and human health. For some, this has raised questions about the environmental benefits of electric cars.

The good news is that Ford is one of the first companies to participate in a battery recycling program with Redwood Materials that allows them to repurpose these materials and keep them out of landfills.

So, Are Electric Cars Better for the Environment?

Are electric cars really better for the environment than gas-powered vehicles? According to data collected by the Environmental Protection Agency, electric vehicles still end up generating fewer greenhouse gasses compared to gasoline cars, even if all of their power is generated from coal or natural gas. This remains true even when you factor in the carbon emissions produced from EV manufacturing because they are offset by the EV’s lack of tailpipe emissions. 

That said, electric vehicles are considered more environmentally friendly than gas-powered cars. Of course, there is still room for improvement – and researchers are working every day to develop cleaner EV technology.

That said, there are incentives available for purchasing an electric vehicle. You may even be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for your environmental stewardship!

Explore Our EV Inventory in Matteson!

Are you ready to ditch your gas guzzler once and for all? Check out our EV inventory and get in touch with us if you’re interested in setting up a test drive! We’re conveniently located near Chicago and New Lenox. In the meantime, learn more about EV home charging! You can contact us anytime with questions.