Your gas car works fine. Consider an EV anyway, scientists say.
New research suggests that swapping your internal combustion engine for an EV is almost always the greener choice.
A surprising number of people questioned why they should switch to an electric vehicle (EV) if their gas car was already functional, according to environmental scientist Elliot Campbell. This led to Campbell's study, published in Science, which concluded that even a two-year-old gas car should be swapped for an EV to reduce lifetime emissions by around 50 percent.
The study's findings were surprising to Campbell himself, who typically prefers repairing and maintaining vehicles. The analysis found that the emissions generated during EV production are quickly compensated by the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from driving an EV. It is recommended that climate-conscious drivers make the switch as soon as feasible, as delaying the benefits prolongs the negative impact on the environment.
The emissions saved by EVs can also improve air quality, particularly for older vehicles built to less stringent standards. The study also revealed that replacing a gas car with an EV is beneficial even if the new vehicle is a plug-in hybrid or a low-mileage second car. The benefits of switching to an EV can increase as the United States relies more on renewable energy sources and battery recycling improves.
While the cost of going electric is a factor, Campbell believes that the study provides a clear message that electric vehicles are a clear winner in terms of environmental impact.
Written by urgent.news from Grist's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
