Why Is It Better To Drive An Electric Or Hybrid Car?

 There are many benefits to running an electric or hybrid car. These affect both the environment and your bank balance in a positive way. When compared to an internal combustion engine car, an electric vehicle uses its fuel more efficiently and so is cheaper to run.

People who criticize electric and hybrid cars say that unless the electricity to run them comes from a green source such as solar or wind power, there is little point owning one. It is beyond doubt that generating electricity by these renewable means is a preferred option, but even if this is not the case it is still better to run an electric vehicle rather than a petroleum driven one.

How is this so?

There are two significant reasons. Firstly, electric and hybrid cars are more efficient in their use of energy than conventional powered cars, regardless of the source of that energy. The second reason is that energy from the mains grid is itself more efficient than energy from burning petrol, even if the grid is powered by coal fired power stations. Each of these points needs to be examined in detail.

Both electric and hybrid cars use electric motors to turn the drive wheels. The motors operate through the use of magnetic fields. Since magnetism is a non-contact force there is no need for contact between the drive wheels and any type of drive shaft. This reduces friction, and so uses less energy. When an electric vehicle brakes the magnetic fields are reversed and the forward motion of the car is converted into electricity. This electricity is then used to recharge the batteries, making the car even more efficient. This process is called regenerative braking and is standard on all electric cars. By comparison, petroleum powered cars not only produce a lot of friction, they rely on it to function. There is a flywheel on the rear of the engine that is physically connected to the drive train of the car. This is then connected to the drive wheels and through this contact the car is propelled forward. When the car brakes, the energy of the car's motion is removed through friction between the brake pads and the brake discs. This means that when it brakes, a petroleum driven car loses all the energy of its motion.

The second point concerns the efficiency of the mains power grid. Power stations have a long history and are designed to be as efficient as possible. It is true that almost all of the mains energy still comes from power plants burning fossil fuels, but these plants generally work in the range of 40 to 50% efficiency, which is the conversion of the chemical energy in the fuel into electricity. By comparison, gasoline powered internal combustion engines operate at about 25% efficiency. So it is a reasonable conclusion that a vehicle run from grid energy will be about twice as efficient as the same vehicle run from non-grid energy such as petroleum, and will therefore produce far less pollution.

The last point about the efficiency of the grid becomes more pronounced if the electricity is sourced from a renewable supply. In that case an electric car running off the grid becomes extremely efficient. While running efficient public transport in such a manner would be even more efficient, it seems that cars are here to stay so it makes sense for them to be as energy efficient as possible.

Critics may say that the energy savings of electric cars are minimal, and that this is not a sufficient saving to make them worthwhile. However, any step forward is a step in the right direction and so it is worth being mindful of the environmental and economic benefits of these vehicles.