Are Electric Cars Really Better for the Environment?

Electric vehicles (EVs) have become increasingly popular among drivers due to the fact that they don’t rely on gasoline fuel. Another attractive perk of driving an EV is that manufacturers claim that they have many environmental benefits. But, are electric cars better for the environment than gas-powered vehicles? Explore the environmental benefits of electric cars with Five Star Automotive Group if you’re on the fence about making the switch to an EV. 

What Are the Environmental Benefits of Electric Cars?

So, are electric cars really better for the environment than gasoline-powered cars? Unlike gas-powered cars, electric cars run solely on an electric battery and battery-powered motors. This means that they don’t use any gasoline fuel. But, what are the other environmental benefits of electric cars? Take a look at some of the exclusive benefits that come with driving an EV around : 

Renewable Energy Sources

As mentioned earlier, electric vehicles run solely on electric power, but some other forms of clean-energy vehicles also run on wind energy, solar energy, and even hydrogen power. Some vehicles are hybrids, which means that they run on gasoline fuel and electric power. Even so, hybrids are still more fuel-efficient than gas-powered cars and still rely on less gasoline fuel.

However, a good amount of electricity used to power electric cars does come from power plants that run on fossil fuels. It’s been calculated that up to 60% of power plants are powered by fossil fuels, and 20% use coal. But, many power plants also rely on wind energy, solar energy, and hydrogen power. So, overall electric vehicles are still better for the environment than gas-powered cars. 

Little to No Carbon Emissions

One of the biggest environmental benefits of electric cars is that they give off little to no carbon emissions. This is because they have no engine, so they don’t need a tailpipe, and they don’t give off tailpipe emissions. While hybrid vehicles combine a gas-powered engine with an electric-powered battery, they also still give off less emissions than gas-powered vehicles. 

Batteries

That batteries that power electric vehicles are made with lithium-ion batteries, many of which are made from power plants in China that run on coal. But, many automotive manufacturers are partnering with more sustainable EV battery suppliers in other countries, and there are multiple projects in the works that plan to increase sustainable EV battery production in both North America and Europe. 

Disposing of EV batteries is also a careful procedure that must be done responsibly since they contain lithium, nickel, and cobalt as well as other elements. There are also EV battery recycling programs that are being put in place to ensure that EV batteries can be not only disposed of correctly but also recycled. 

Additional Benefits of Electric Cars

So, are electric cars really better for the environment? Not only are electric cars better for the environment than gas-powered cars, but there are several performance benefits and incentives that you can enjoy if you drive an electric car around : 

• Smoother, quieter ride
• Near-instant torque
• Potential EV tax credits of up to $7,500
• Less maintenance and service required due to no moving combustion engine parts

For any other questions about electric vehicles, reach out to Five Star Automotive Group. If you want to see what it’s like driving an electric vehicle, then drop by our dealership in Milledgeville to explore our EV inventory and set up a test drive of your favorite model. 

Test Drive an Electric Vehicle in Milledgeville!

With so many environmental benefits of electric cars, as well as performance incentives, Five Star Automotive Group encourages you to ask more questions about EVs and to contact us to take a test drive of some of our very own electric models. We look forward to hearing from you and getting you behind the wheel of your own EV!