Environment
As we're sure you'll be aware, the UK is slowly getting hotter and hotter, with 9 of the warmest years in Britain having occurred in the past 18 years. This is a result of an increase in greenhouse gases (GHG).
Presently around 22% of the UK's GHG emissions are produced through the cars on our roads. This however, tells only half the story. Along with the CO₂ that is produced (which is the talk of the town these days - with a target by the European Commission for new cars to average less than 120g/km CO₂ by 2012) a number of other unsavoury by-products are also emitted. These include:
Carbon Monoxide (CO) - Binds to red blood cells hampering their ability to deliver oxygen to vital organs.
Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) - Contributes to acid rain and smog formation.
Hydrocarbons - These are partially burned fuel molecules that react with NOx and sunlight to form ground level ozone, part of what we know as smog.
Particulates (PM10s) - Have been associated with increased respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
Electric vehicles on the other hand produce NO TAILPIPE EMISSIONS, consequently reducing CO₂ and importantly not emitting any of the other nasties detailed above.
But ‘what?' I here you cry about the production of the batteries and electricity that is used to charge them up. If renewable energy sources are used then completely carbon free motoring can be enjoyed by all. If however this is not your source of electricity, it is still estimated that compared with one of our ICE cousins the environmental impact is reduced by around two thirds. On top of this, it is much easier to police and effectively control the few power station sites used to generate this electricity compared with the millions of individual exhausts that would otherwise roam.
A significant technical advantage of EV's is their use of regenerative braking. Approximately 30% of a car's generated power is lost through slowing the vehicle down. Hence, harnessing and reclaiming this otherwise lost energy is ideal in reducing our impact on the environment.
This efficiency is also evident through the actual motors used in EV's. A normal internal combustion engine converts only around 20% of its energy into useful motivational power where the rest is expended mostly as heat. An electric motor however operates at around 85% efficiency - Waste not, want not!