Electric Vehicles: A Breath of Fresh Air (For Cities)

Electric vehicles (EVs) are often hailed as the ultimate solution to slashing transport emissions and cleaning up our air. It’s true that Australia’s electricity sector, the biggest polluter (~32%), is making strides towards cleaner energy. However, transport emissions (~21%) are a growing concern, rising rapidly and becoming the third-largest contributor.

Critics argue that EVs simply shift the problem, pushing pollution from car exhausts to power plant smokestacks. While there’s some truth to this – a coal-heavy grid could make EVs less clean – it’s a diminishing concern. As renewable energy sources like rooftop solar and clean grid power increase, emissions from charging EVs plummet. Ideally, charging with rooftop solar is completely emission-free, and even a grid with a high proportion of renewables means very low emissions.

But even on a coal-fired grid, EVs offer a significant advantage. Unlike combustion engines that spew out smog-causing and health-harming chemicals like carbon monoxide, soot, and nitrogen oxides, EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions.

The positive impact is already being felt in countries like China and Norway, which have rapidly adopted EVs. Chinese research shows air quality in heavily polluted cities improves as EV numbers rise. Similarly, American studies demonstrate that even a small increase in EV use leads to cleaner air and fewer hospital visits for asthma.

In short, electric vehicles are a breath of fresh air for our cities, offering a clear path towards cleaner air and a healthier future. Also, read Leading Hybrid Cars in India – Hybrid Cars Roadmap in India.

Here’s Why We Need Them on the Road, Now

Australia’s fight against transport emissions has a new battleground: car dealerships. While electric vehicle (EV) technology is no longer the hurdle, getting people to buy them is.

Sure, sales are rising – 8% of new vehicles in 2023 were EVs, a jump from 3.6% the year before. But here’s the sobering reality: that only translates to a measly 1.2% of Australia’s total passenger vehicles being electric. Out of 15.3 million cars, utes, and vans, a mere 181,000 are EVs.

Yes, adoption is accelerating, but based on current trends, it’ll take at least 15 years for EVs to outnumber combustion engine vehicles. Even then, a complete shift will take even longer – classic car enthusiasts will likely keep some gasoline models alive.

This is why government initiatives like the New Vehicle Energy Standards are crucial. They push the needle towards a quicker transition, but even with them, significant emissions reduction from transport is still decades away.

Clean Air vs Dirty Grid? EVs Still Win

Some argue EVs are just greenwashing – “dirty coal power for a dirty car,” they say. There’s some truth to that.

However, EVs have a major advantage: zero tailpipe emissions. This means cleaner air in cities, a benefit felt immediately.

But doesn’t this just push pollution elsewhere? It depends. Take the Tesla Model 3. Those made in China (where most Australian Teslas come from) rely heavily on coal power, while US-made ones use cleaner natural gas. The result? A Chinese-made Tesla creates 154% more emissions than its US counterpart.

So, an Australian Tesla driver might unintentionally pollute more, but still significantly less than someone driving a gasoline car.

Location Matters: Charge Green, Drive Clean

Where you drive and charge your EV also makes a big difference. A Tesla Model 3 charged on the New South Wales grid (still heavily reliant on coal) produces nearly 15,500kg of CO2 equivalent over 16 years. However, drive it and charge it in Tasmania, powered by clean hydropower, and that number drops to under 500kg.

Beyond Cars: Trucks and Buses Need a Clean Charge Too

While car emissions have been dropping for nearly two decades (thanks partly to people driving less), the rise of diesel trucks is a major concern. Diesel use has almost doubled in that time, negating the progress made with cars.

Electric trucks are emerging, but their heavier batteries make long-distance hauls a challenge. Initially, they’ll likely replace smaller, city-based trucks.

Electric buses are slowly appearing too, but just like cars, adoption is slow. Only around 0.2% of Australia’s buses are electric, despite industry enthusiasm.

The Bottom Line: EVs Are the Answer, But We Need Them Now

Electric vehicles, across the board, can significantly reduce transport emissions and clean our air. However, slow uptake means the real impact is decades away. And to truly charge cleanly, we need a much greener national grid. The time to act is now, and on multiple fronts: encouraging EV adoption, accelerating the clean energy transition, and electrifying our public transport systems.