The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCSUSA) surprised the world by concluding that electric vehicles, the environment savers, actually pollute the environment more than their conventional siblings. UCS studied the ways in which electricity is produced over the world and the related pollution as against the pollution of producing and using petroleum for automotive use. They found that, except in the US, coal being a major fuel for electricity production, the pollution levels actually go higher.
Another study by the University of Tennessee examined 34 Chinese cities and found that electric cars pollution caused 19 times more particulate matter pollution that contains acids, organic chemicals, metals and dust than gasoline cars. Chris Cherry, assistant professor, said that, “An implicit assumption has been that air quality and health impacts are lower for electric vehicles. The findings of our study challenge the belief.” These findings were published in the Journal of Environment science and Technology.
The findings of both these well-documented studies are in strict contradiction with the general belief that electric vehicles are a tool to a cleaner and greener future. As per the studies, the greenness of the vehicles depends upon the method of electricity generation. Nuclear or non-conventional sources would certainly cut down the pollution.
General Motors' battery research laboratory that caught fire last week, over battery testing that did not go all well, has incurred damage worth over USD 5 million. This has resulted raised eyebrows over electric vehicle safety. Also, with nuclear electricity projects being opposed in India, electric vehicles would never serve their purpose of being environmentally friendly.
