Climate change is a critical, existential issue facing humanity in the 21st century. Events such as heavy rainfall in Dubai, the historic heat wave in Northern America in 2021, which was responsible for over 1,000 deaths, and many more have been linked to climate change and rising global temperatures.
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Electric vehicles (EVs) are a cornerstone technology in human society's transition to a post-carbon industrial society. This article will explore how EVs are playing an increasing role in the fight against climate change.
Current Climate Change Issues and Pollution Worldwide
Human activity has profoundly affected the environment and climate, with carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere now higher than in the past four million years. In the last decade, global temperatures have been the highest they have ever been in the past 125,000 years, which is longer than recorded history.1
Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are now nearly 420 ppm, whereas pre-industrial levels were around 280 ppm. If the world continues on a business-as-usual course, global temperature rises could reach over 2.0 °C by the end of the century.2
Rising temperatures are not the only cause for concern: pollution from vehicle engine exhausts plays a key role in decreased air quality, particularly in urban areas, which can significantly impact human health and the environment.
According to some estimates, air pollution kills an estimated 5.5 million people each year around the world.3
Therefore, decarbonizing the transportation industry is vital in curtailing climate change and air pollution.
Electric Vehicles and Their Roles in Cutting Pollution
Several different types of EVs are on the market, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which derive all their power from battery packs, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
PHEVs use rechargeable battery packs and internal combustion engines, whereas FCEVs use hydrogen fuel cells and technologies such as battery packs or supercapacitors.
All EVs produce significantly less carbon emissions (or zero emissions) than conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles when on the road. While the majority are passenger automobiles, a growing number of electric vans, trucks, industrial plant vehicles, and other types of EVs are on the road worldwide.
Electric vehicles cut emissions and help reduce humanity’s reliance on fossil fuels because they do not need gas or diesel (or, in the case of PHEVs, drastically reduced fuel amounts per refuel).
Many cities worldwide have adopted EVs in their public transportation networks and enacted policies to reduce the amount of ICE vehicles on their roads. For example, in the UK, London has introduced the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) charge, with drivers of the most polluting vehicles charged for using the roads within a large and growing city area.
Introduced in 2019, the Ulez initiative reduced nitrogen oxide (NO2) levels in Central London by 46% by 2022, with air quality increasing within the zone’s boundaries. Nottingham, also in the UK, has made significant progress in electrifying its public transportation fleet. Several zones in Europe have instituted restrictions on cars, with mixed results.4
Recent Research and Company Developments in Electric Vehicles
Global EV sales surpassed 10% in 2022, with predictions that this figure will reach 30% by the decade's end. Recent climate legislation has accelerated the development of battery technologies and provided incentives for new EV sales. However, the transition to total global transport electrification relies on better, cheaper, and more commonplace battery technologies.
Lithium-ion batteries are the most common battery technology in EVs. However, while developments in battery technology over the past few decades have seen electric vehicles compete more with their ICE counterparts in terms of cost and range, there is still room for improvement.
Alternatives to lithium-ion batteries
Solid-state batteries, such as lithium-metal batteries, are viable alternatives to lithium-ion technologies. They provide increased range, improved safety, and faster charging times.
While providing no performance benefits, sodium-ion batteries could significantly cut the cost of EV battery manufacture and use as they rely on cheaper and more abundant materials.
Companies such as Solid Power and Quantumscape are working to develop solid-state batteries, whereas, in China, the battery giant CATL is a critical player in the mass production of sodium-ion batteries.
Form Energy in the US is developing an iron-air battery that utilizes reverse rusting and a water-based electrolyte.5
Other battery breakthroughs
Other breakthroughs include ultra-fast charging technologies, battery swapping technology, wireless charging, bidirectional EV charging, and corporate initiatives, such as Mobility for Africa, which seeks to accelerate EV adoption in underserved communities on the continent with solar-powered battery charging and e-tricycles.6
Limitations and Future of Electric Vehicles
Despite the rapid growth of EVs on the road and their well-publicized benefits for reducing air pollution and helping global society achieve net zero emissions, some key challenges need to be urgently addressed.
Range anxiety
One of the most common bottlenecks in EV adoption worldwide is range anxiety. Whereas ICE vehicles can be refueled in minutes and possess sufficient range between refuelings, EVs require longer charging times and have a more limited range. However, mass-market EVs can deliver up to 300 miles in ideal conditions, a vast improvement from just a decade ago.
Charging infrastructure
The lack of charging infrastructure, particularly in more rural areas, is also a key limitation of EVs. Tesla is attempting to overcome these issues by opening its Supercharger network to other EV manufacturers, while the Biden administration has earmarked $7.5 billion for charging infrastructure to address this issue in the US.7
Material sustainability
Material sustainability and end-of-life battery recycling. However, ongoing research addresses these issues by investigating using more abundant and environmentally friendly materials, improving recycling infrastructure, and moving battery manufacturing to a more circular model.
EV adoption is accelerating despite these bottlenecks, which will likely continue in the coming years. Many governments are forcing the issue by legislating near-total bans on new ICE vehicle sales by the mid-2030s.
What Further Research is Needed?
Research into improving EVs has progressed rapidly over the past decade, but more research is needed. More sustainable materials and less environmentally damaging modes of extraction are required. Lithium mining, in particular, is a problem that colors the public perception of EVs and their role in combatting climate change.
More research is needed to help extend the lifespan and efficiency of battery technologies. More ultra-fast charging infrastructure needs to be built and implemented. To maximize their environmental benefits, EVs must be integrated with renewable energy and could contribute to a more sustainable energy grid. While these technical challenges are highly complex, they are surmountable.
Socio-Economic Impacts
Aside from the obvious environmental benefits, EV manufacturing could have a huge socio-economic impact. As the sector ramps up production, new jobs can be created and workers previously employed in manufacturing ICE vehicles can be retrained. This would have a knock-on effect on local areas, which otherwise would be impacted by the loss of critical industrial infrastructure.
As more people adopt EVs, this would benefit countries that implement EV manufacture as a core industry. However, this also requires equity and accessibility: driving costs down will make EVs more attractive to drivers. It would also mean underserved communities in emerging markets could access the technology more.
Conclusion
Electric vehicles are a cornerstone of the push toward net zero and reducing the impact of pollution on the environment and human health. Multiple researchers and companies worldwide are addressing issues with sustainability, battery efficiency, and vehicle performance.
Continued research and investment are needed to replace ICE vehicles and end humanity’s reliance on fossil fuels. While complex issues persist, the outlook for EVs is incredibly hopeful.
References and Further Reading
- Mulhern, O (2022) 11 Interesting Facts Climate Change Facts [online] Earth.org. Available at: https://earth.org/data_visualization/11-interesting-facts-about-climate-change/ (Accessed on 5 June 2024)
- Rennard, G (2021) COP26: World headed for 2.4C warming despite climate summit – report [online] BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59220687 (Accessed on 5 June 2024)
- Roser, M (2021) Data review: How many people die from air pollution? [online] Our World in Data. Available at: https://ourworldindata.org/data-review-air-pollution-deaths (Accessed on 5 June 2024)
- Poynting, M (2023) London Ulez expansion: Do clean-air zones reduce air pollution? [online] BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66610600 (Accessed on 5 June 2024)
- Crownhart, C (2023) What’s next for batteries [online] MIT Technology Review. Available at: https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/01/04/1066141/whats-next-for-batteries/ (Accessed on 5 June 2024)
- Adams, H.S (2024) Top 10: Innovations in Electric Vehicles [online] EV Magazine. Available at: https://evmagazine.com/technology/top-10-innovations-in-electric-vehicles (Accessed on 5 June 2024)
- Naughton, N (2024) EV range is making huge strides, but there still aren’t enough places to charge [online] Business Insider. Available at: https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-vehicle-range-ev-charging-station-infrastructure-issues-2024-5 (Accessed on 5 June 2024)
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