HEVs protect the Environment. Is it correct to say like this? Are we on the right path of protecting the Environment?

In recent years, electric vehicles have gained momentum and popularity with features like their eco-friendly nature, the ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and also reduce their dependency on oil.

A major economic balance will be achieved if the countries can reduce their dependency on fossil fuels; one of them is oil.

But the battle is not over, as with electric vehicles, the new age of batteries, like lithium-ion batteries, became the talk of the town. Whoever holds the core is the demanding and rich nation.

As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, electric vehicles and their variants, like HEVs and PHEVs, are the needed solution for handling the tremendous environmental changes that are beyond the control of human beings.

I mean, if you play with the fire, you get burned out; if you overuse the natural resources and deplete them without thinking about the consequences, then the results are beyond our control.

Do you think HEVs can protect the environment?

The reasons that are convincing enough for the world to accept that, for the moment, HEVs play a major role in protecting the environment are:

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions reduction

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), emission reduction is possible by 50% for HEVs as compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles (EPA, 2022). A combination of electric and gasoline power is used in HEVs to reduce the consumption of fuel and, later, emissions.

As Dr. Alan Lloyd, President of the International Council on Clean Transportation (Lloyd, 2019), states,

“Hybrid vehicles are a great way to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and lower our greenhouse gas emissions. They’re a step in the right direction towards a more sustainable future.”

• Improving Fuel Efficiency

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC, 2020), fuel economy of up to 50 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city can be achieved by HEVs and up to 60 mpg on the highway. The scenario shows that it is better than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

According to Dr. Daniel Sperling, Director of the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis (Sperling, 2019),

“Hybrid vehicles are a game-changer when it comes to fuel efficiency. They’re a great way to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and lower our carbon footprint.”

• Reducing Air Pollution

According to the California Air Resources Board (CARB, 2020), particulate matter (PM) emissions can be reduced by HEVs by up to 90% and nitrogen oxide (NO) emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

Well, respiratory problems and issues are the major health hazards, and air pollution is one of the major contributors.

As per Dr. Mary Nichols, Chair of the California Air Resources Board (Nichols, 2019),

“Hybrid vehicles are a crucial step towards reducing air pollution and improving public health. They’re a win-win for both the environment and human health.”

Examples of the countries for HEVs in Action

• In Norway, HEVs are exempt from value-added tax (VAT) and tolls, making them an attractive choice for consumers (Norwegian Government, 2020).
• In China, thegovernment implemented a national policy promoting HEV adoption to have 50% of new vehicles sold by 2025 (Chinese Government, 2020).
• In the United States, HEV-friendly policies have been implemented by several cities, like providing incentives for consumers to buy HEVs (Los Angeles Department of Transportation, 2020; New York City Department of Transportation, 2020).

But there are various challenges and limitations in the case of HEVs, including high upfront costs, limited charging infrastructure, and uncertainty about EV adoption.

The cost of HEVs is also high compared to traditional cars. The scenario is still uncertain about the full-fledged adoption of HEVs across the world. It also shows the dilemma of limited charging infrastructure and creating a barrier or obstruction for traveling long distances.

Once invested within the cities, it seems quite friendly and easygoing; but, with time, the EVs are losing their momentum.

The market crash issues, the stock market, and geopolitical issues are somehow clouding the matter of EVs and their challenges as well as limitations.

Sources:- CARB, Science Direct, The International Council on Clean Transportation, The economics of electric vehicles, Alternative Fuels Data Center, NRDC, NYC, Norweigan EV policy