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Electric vehicles are, without a doubt, one of the greenest options drivers have when it comes to their choice of car. These vehicles - known as EVs for short - don’t emit any emissions, helping to reduce your carbon output. Yet there is much more to the automotive industry than just fuel emissions, so are today’s green cars enough?

Adoption Rates

First of all, it’s worth noting that, no matter how good EVs may be, the benefits are somewhat diminished if the adoption rate is so slow. No matter where you are, a quick glance at the road will reveal more petrol or diesel based vehicles compared to electric options. As such, there’s clearly some barrier to entry that needs to be readdressed.

One of the more obvious problems is the cost. EVs are relatively new cars, with upcoming models like the Tesla 3 costing around $35,000. Compared to a second hand, petrol based car, there’s a big margin in affordability.

In time, this will go down as the technology becomes more widely available and a second hand market emerges. Even now, however, it's estimated that hybrid cars have a higher cost - up to 20% more - compared to fully petrol based vehicles. That’s still a big margin, especially for budget buyers.

Energy Sources

While cutting on a reliance of fossil fuels is certainly green, the energy used to charge a car from is also just as vital. If such an electric car is powered via coal-generated electricity, can it truly be green? For any car to be environmentally friendly with electricity, owners must ensure they only use renewable power.

It’s also worth noting that some drivers have the option to use a greener fuel source without upgrading their car. Many diesel vehicles are able to use biodiesels, which is much more sustainable. You can even make biofuel at home and it is legal in many countries across the world, including America and the United Kingdom. Just make sure your diesel particulate filter is in the exhaust system cylinder, rather than the exhaust pipe.

Construction Materials

Furthermore, while the likes of Tesla are busy creating lithium-ion powered vehicles and driverless cars, there’s little talk about the actual materials used in their construction. These vehicles still use metal and other natural elements, which may or may not be acquired through sustainable means.

Of course, many manufacturers (although not all) are actively recycling materials where possible. Car bodies, for instance, are typically made from aluminium or steel. Ford alone recycles enough aluminium to produce 30,000 trucks per month, which is certainly a very green effort.

Similarly, more and more car parts can be recycled, provided owners dispose of them responsibly. Glass, of course, can be melted down and re-made, while car tyres can be recycled for their rubber.

Yet this need to recycle is more important in the very green areas. Catalyst converters use three rare earth metals - platinum, rhodium and palladium - while even EVs use lithium-ion for their batteries. This battery source doesn’t have an indefinite lifetime, so recycling efforts will be needed to curb lithium mining as much as possible.

Other Forms Of Transport

As good as green cars can be, they are not the only forms of transport available. When it comes to adopting sustainable travel, there are many more obstacles to be tackled. While electric trains and buses have been in production for some time now, there’s a much greater difficulty in getting the power requirements to replace aircraft and ships.

Even when it comes to electric cars, there are numerous gaps in the market. 4x4 cars, vans and trucks all have big markets - contributing significant emissions in their own rights - yet have little in the way of green alternatives.

Cultural Perceptions

Finally, there are still many people out there who are afraid or unsure of EVs. Part of this is down to a fear of new things, as studies have shown people greatly come around to the idea after being inside an electric vehicle.

Similarly, one can also look at automotive media for a prime example. Motor shows, magazines and other media prioritise the power and performance of combustion engines, rather than the efficiency of EVs. Even when it comes to power, there are a number of plug-in hypercars in production, showcasing the capabilities of EV, but these seldom get mentioned.

Ultimately, it is up to drivers, as people and as consumers, to encourage a greener driving reality. An increased uptake in EVs, certainly, will encourage a wider availability. Yet even people without this financial option can undertake more eco-friendly methods. Whether that’s using biofuels or adopting green driving methods, such as a better fuel economy or car pooling, there are many areas where people could do more, but often don’t.

So, are green cars enough? While they are good, they don’t achieve everything that a truly sustainable, green option should. That being said, they are a large step in the right direction and this should not be underestimated.

Giles Kirkland

Giles Kirkland is a professional mechanic with a passion for greener living and sustainable developments. Have an idea? Tell SeedSing all about it.