The manufacturing, use and scrapping of electric cars produces around 15% to 50% more greenhouse gases (GHGs) than hybrid and conventional engine cars according to a new study conducted by the Engine Research Lab of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.
The new report has challenged the claim that electronic cars are more environment-friendly than hybrid cars and conventional internal combustion engine cars. The study found that in the per kilometre analysis, the purchase, insurance and maintenance of electronic vehicles (EVs) are also costlier by 15%-60%.
The study conducted in collaboration with a Japanese research organization showed that hybrid electric cars are the most eco-friendly. The study divided the cars into three categories -- two foreign categories and one Indian category-- to calculate the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of the vehicles.
The study found that Battery Electric Cars (BEVs) emit 15%-50% more GHGs in different categories than other vehicles. In BEVs, the battery has to be charged with electricity and currently 75% of electricity in India is generated from coal, which emits carbon-di-oxide.
The study reveals that hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) emit the least amount of GHGs of the other two categories of vehicles but are more expensive than the other two categories of cars.
IIT Kanpur professor Avinash Agarwal said that despite harming the environment, battery electric cars are being promoted through lower taxes and other benefits to the buyers. He said hybrid cars get one-and-a-half to twice the mileage per litre as compared to conventional engine cars.
He said for personal use, a car with a conventional engine is cheaper than a battery-driven car. But a battery-driven car is more efficient for taxi operators. While hybrid vehicles are the best in terms of the environment.
Source: asiainsurancereview.com