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A recent Twitter claim made by a user suggests that buying an electric vehicle (EV) won’t affect the hot temperatures experienced during the summer. The tweet also implies that reducing private flights might more effectively combat climate change, hinting at a scepticism towards climate initiatives. This fact-checking article will examine whether EVs contribute to altering summer temperatures and explore the broader context surrounding this claim.
Electric Vehicles and Temperature
Electric vehicles do not directly impact summer temperatures. EVs primarily aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing traditional internal combustion engine vehicles that rely on fossil fuels. While EV adoption is crucial in reducing air pollution and improving overall air quality, its influence on altering temperature patterns, specifically during summers, is negligible.
Research consistently demonstrates that electric cars are better for the environment than petrol or diesel cars. They emit fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants, taking into account both their production and the generation of electricity required to operate them. One of the significant advantages of electric cars is their contribution to improving air quality in urban areas since they produce no carbon dioxide emissions while driving. This reduction in air pollution positively impacts the overall cleanliness of our streets, creating a better environment for pedestrians and cyclists. Over the course of a year, just one electric car on the road can save approximately 1.5 million grams of CO2 emissions. Across Europe, EVs have considerably lower lifetime emissions than conventional vehicles. While countries heavily reliant on coal-generated electricity may benefit less from EVs than the most efficient hybrid-electric models, as countries shift towards cleaner energy sources to meet climate targets, driving and manufacturing emissions will decrease for EVs.
, But Electric vehicles (EVs) themselves do not directly increase environmental temperature. In fact, EVs are often considered more environmentally friendly than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) because they produce zero tailpipe emissions and contribute less to air pollution.
However, it’s worth noting that the overall impact of EVs on the environment depends on several factors. One important consideration is the source of the electricity used to charge EVs. If the electricity comes from fossil fuel power plants, then the emissions associated with generating that electricity could contribute to climate change and increase environmental temperature. However, as renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power become more prevalent in the electricity grid, the environmental benefits of EVs are expected to increase further.
Also, Extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can significantly impact electric cars’ energy consumption and efficiency. The battery takes longer to charge in cold weather, reducing the car’s range. On the other hand, hot weather can cause the battery to heat up quickly, potentially shortening its lifespan and reducing the range. In freezing temperatures, the battery’s efficiency decreases, leading to increased power consumption by the heating system to warm the cabin, further reducing the range. However, modern electric cars have improved designs to mitigate these issues. For instance, some models utilise heat pump systems to recycle heat from the battery, making cabin heating more efficient. Newer batteries also have enhanced thermal management systems, although they perform optimally in temperatures between 20-25°C (68-77°F). Link. Archived.
Transportation Sector and Climate Change
The transportation sector, including private flights, contributes to climate change through the emission of greenhouse gases. However, it is essential to note that addressing climate change requires a multifaceted approach. Focusing solely on reducing private flights would overlook the significant impact on the entire transportation sector, which includes cars, trucks, and other forms of transportation. By promoting EVs, we can make substantial progress in decarbonising the transportation sector as a whole. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming and climate change. The transport sector is a significant target for reducing CO2 emissions and implementing adaptation measures to address climatic changes. Developed countries account for around 30% of CO2 emissions in the transport sector, while global artificial CO2 emissions stand at about 23%. There is a consensus to reduce transport-related CO2 emissions by at least 50% by 2050. A joint workshop by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development highlighted the challenges climate change impacts international transport networks. It emphasised the need for policy actions and information exchange. The workshop concluded that establishing an expert group to study the issue would be beneficial, considering that transport contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. Link. Archived.
Aircraft emissions account for approximately 9% of U.S. transportation sector emissions, making them the third-largest source of greenhouse gas pollution in this sector. Despite the EPA’s acknowledgement in 2016 that aircraft emissions endanger human health and welfare, no rules have been released to address this issue. The Center and its allies have filed a notice of intent to sue the EPA for failing to develop standards to limit greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft. Similarly, ships contribute nearly 3% of global CO2 emissions and are a significant source of nitrous oxide and black carbon. With the expected increase in international trade, ship emissions could rise by up to 250% by 2050. Link. Archived.
Has reducing private flights might be more effective in combating climate change?
Flights, being energy intensive and reliant on fossil fuels, benefit from unfair advantages due to fuel tax subsidies, creating an imbalance compared to other modes of transportation. The environmental costs of air travel are often hidden from consumers, as low flight prices fail to reflect their significant impact on the environment. Emissions from flights remain in the atmosphere for centuries, contributing to long-term global warming. The high-altitude release of aircraft emissions intensifies their climate impact, initiating chemical reactions and atmospheric effects that contribute to the Earth’s heat.
Efforts to improve fuel efficiency in the aviation industry have led to a 24% reduction in fuel burned per passenger between 2005 and 2017. However, the environmental benefits of these improvements have been overshadowed by the sustained growth of air traffic, resulting in passengers flying on average 60% further in 2017 compared to 2005. In the European Union (EU), direct emissions from aviation accounted for 3.8% of total CO2 emissions in 2017, making it the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector after road transport.
Aviation also contributes to climate change by releasing nitrogen oxides, water vapour, and particles at high altitudes. The CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) aims to stabilise CO2 emissions from international aviation at 2020 levels by requiring airlines to offset their emissions growth after 2020 by purchasing eligible emission units from emission reduction projects in other sectors. The scheme is estimated to offset around 80% of emissions above 2020 levels from 2021 to 2035, with all EU countries participating from the beginning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, electric vehicles (EVs) do not directly impact summer temperatures. However, they are environmentally friendly compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) due to their lower greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. EVs improve air quality, particularly in urban areas, by producing no carbon dioxide emissions while driving. The overall impact of EVs on the environment depends on factors such as the source of electricity used to charge them, with a shift towards renewable energy sources enhancing their environmental benefits. It is important to note that extreme temperatures can affect EVs’ energy consumption and efficiency, with cold weather reducing battery charging speed and range and hot weather potentially shortening battery lifespan. Private flights contribute to climate change through emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, but efforts have been made to improve fuel efficiency in the aviation industry. The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) aims to stabilise CO2 emissions from international aviation at 2020 levels by requiring airlines to offset emissions growth after 2020. There may need to be more than just reducing private flights alone to combat climate change, as the entire transportation sector needs to be addressed.
Adopting a combination of measures and supporting various climate initiatives is crucial to achieving meaningful and lasting environmental impact.
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-With inputs from Dinesh Balasri–
