Electric vehicles are a significant development in sustainable transportation as a cleaner substitute. Known for their high fuel efficiency, EVs might be an affordable method to lower operating costs for your entire fleet.
Many businesses have started using electric vehicles (EVs) in their fleets as a result of rising fuel prices and a push for greener initiatives. Known for their high fuel efficiency, EVs might be an affordable option to lower running costs. The average cost of power in the US is 10 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). An electric car often costs less per mile than a gasoline-powered vehicle, at around 3 cents as opposed to 10 cents.
EVs are a more environmentally friendly option than gas or diesel automobiles in addition to having cheaper fuel expenses. They can lower a fleet’s carbon gas emissions by getting rid of exhaust. This benefit aids companies in continuing to operate sustainably and in compliance with legal requirements.
Continue reading to find out more about EVs and how they may benefit your fleet as well as the environment.
How Do EVs Function and What Are They?
Internal combustion engines (ICEs) used in conventional vehicles typically use fossil fuels like gasoline or diesel. One or more electric motors in EVs are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which are also used to power computers and smartphones. EVs also plug into external power sources to charge, just like electrical devices do. Other battery types rely on regenerative braking or electricity generation from the frictional energy of the vehicle to charge. In addition to being cleaner than internal combustion engines, lithium-ion batteries frequently perform better. Many have an 8–10 year guaranteed life span.
A network of charging stations provides EV batteries with access to power while driving, similar to stopping at a gas station. An EV’s battery life determines how far it can go between charging points. Extreme weather and driving conditions can also reduce an EV’s range because they require more energy to make up for it.
Since EVs run on electricity instead of fossil fuels, they could not have all of the same parts as ICE cars. For instance, fuel tanks, fuel lines, and exhaust pipes. As a result, the majority of EVs don’t emit carbon dioxide (CO2), which reduces air pollution.
What Varieties of EVs Are There?
Depending on how much they rely on electricity as a power source, EVs are divided into many sorts. There are now three main categories for EVs.
Rechargeable batteries are used in battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which are entirely electric. BEVs also referred to as “plug-in” EVs, get their electricity from an external electrical outlet for charging. They are electricity-only vehicles without a gas engine, fuel tank, or exhaust pipe.
Extended-range electric vehicles, also known as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), are propelled in part by electricity and in part by gasoline. They are capable of regenerative braking and have batteries that can be charged by an external outlet. In order to increase the vehicle’s range and replenish the battery, PHEVs additionally use a gas engine.
Both gasoline and electricity are used to power hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). They are distinct from PHEVs in that they exclusively use regenerative braking to recharge their batteries. When driving, these EVs use their electric motor; but, when the load or speed increases, the electric motor is supplemented by the gasoline engine.
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Environmental Effects of EVs Vs. Ice Cars
ICE vehicles emit more pollutants than just the exhaust that exits from their tailpipes. Air pollution is also produced in significant quantities throughout the oil extraction, gasoline refinement, and delivery processes. These emissions are also known as upstream emissions or well-to-wheel emissions. Modern ICE manufacturers have reduced their CO2 emissions, however, the production process still has a detrimental effect on the environment.
There are upstream emissions produced during the manufacture of EV batteries. In reality, EV manufacturing can be more environmentally damaging than ICE production. EVs are still the cleanest form of transportation because their entire life cycle is significantly more environmentally friendly.
Driving makes up for their greater manufacturing emissions since they use electricity as fuel. Over the course of its lifespan, an EV emits half as much carbon dioxide as a normal automobile, far exceeding it in terms of sustainability.
Five Ways Electric Vehicles Are More Environmentally Friendly
EVs are a significant development in sustainable mobility as a cleaner substitute. The top five ways EVs can help the environment are listed below.
1. Electric vehicles have zero exhaust emissions.
A tailpipe is not necessary for fully electric vehicles because they don’t produce exhaust. Traditional engines use diesel or gasoline to provide energy but at the expense of emitting dangerous carbon emissions. The batteries used in EVs, however, are fully emission-free. The lithium-ion battery is the most popular type of battery used in EVs. These batteries are capable of being repeatedly discharged and recharged without causing air pollution.
2. EVs produce fewer emissions than ICE vehicles, even when using fossil fuels. Many electric vehicles (EV) charging stations charge EVs with renewable energy. Nevertheless, some continue to use coal-burning power plants and other environmentally unfriendly energy sources. Charging EVs can have a greater carbon footprint in nations where coal, oil, or natural gas are the main energy sources.
EVs nevertheless produce fewer emissions overall even when they are coal-powered. Electric vehicle use has resulted in a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in nations that rely heavily on coal, like China. Clean energy sources make EVs even greener for nations that depend even less on fossil fuels.
3. There are clean ways to make EV batteries.
Even while EVs don’t significantly increase roadside air pollution, careless battery production can have negative effects. During the battery manufacture process, well-to-wheel emissions, which make up the majority of EV emissions, are produced. Because EVs are still a relatively new technology, the energy sources used to make batteries do not conform to industry standards, which increases the carbon footprint. But things are starting to change in this regard.
The carbon footprint of modern EV batteries is 2 to 3 times smaller than it was two years ago, and it is getting cleaner all the time. EV automakers are establishing standards for their battery suppliers. For instance, they mandate that suppliers only use clean energy sources like solar and wind during production. These resources can deliver the substantial energy required for the production of EV batteries without producing damaging pollutants. Tesla, a manufacturer of electric vehicles, actually intends to produce all of its batteries using renewable energy.
4. ICE cars constantly emit pollution.
After they are made, EVs do not contribute to air pollution, with the exception of the sparing use of coal-fueled charging stations. The battery manufacturing process is where the majority of emissions are generated. Thus, an EV’s overall emissions may be assessed even before it is powered on for the first time.
On the other hand, ICE vehicles emit CO2 anytime their engines are running. A gasoline-powered passenger car typically emits 5 to 6 metric tonnes of CO2 annually. In just 6 to 18 months of operation, according to research by the Union of Concerned Scientists, ICE emissions surpass those of EVs from well to wheel. Emissions continue to be produced in significant amounts due to the millions of ICE vehicles on the road today. A renewable energy-powered electric vehicle, on the other hand, will always have a carbon footprint that is neutral.
5. Eco-friendly materials are used by EV makers.
Making a useful, lightweight vehicle is one of the biggest challenges facing EV producers. Greater range and a lower carbon footprint are benefits of lighter electric vehicles (EVs), but using conventional materials makes this difficult. Organic and recycled materials, however, are now on par with conventional materials. They are sturdy, lightweight, and environmentally friendly.
The structure of a car is currently not made of recycled materials, despite the fact that many conventional manufacturers use them for small components. Environmentally friendly materials are being used and improved by EV producers to create lighter, more effective vehicles.
Utilizing recycled and organic materials has environmental advantages in addition to weight savings. Utilizing new materials, such as metals and plastics, leads to pollution and is not sustainable. The environmental effect of the EV production process is reduced both during and after using only natural or recycled components.
Telematics Solutions for Ev Fleet Management
How can you maximize the return on your investment now that you are aware of the advantages of utilizing EVs in your fleet? To make sure that every electric car in your fleet is functioning properly, it’s essential to keep track of it. To make sure charging isn’t taking place during peak hours, you’ll also want to determine whether an EV has enough energy to last the duration of the trip and discover charging trends.
Some telematics solutions: That can keep you informed about everything that’s happening with your fleet that is compatible with EVs. You may manage your EVs with the aid of telematics solutions like Samsara, which provide a variety of various EV fleet management capabilities.
State of Charge: Samsara’s real-time State of Charge enables you to view each vehicle’s present and previous state of charge. Additionally, you can set up State of Charge Alerts to warn you when an EV’s state of charge drops below a specified threshold and monitor the charging status to see if your vehicles are charging. This enables you to divert the car to a charging location before the battery runs out.
EV charging stations map overlay: Having quick access to information about charging stations aids in route planning for EVs. You may plan routes with confidence knowing that your EVs will arrive at their destinations thanks to a view of the available charging stations. The nearby charging stations’ open times and available charging kinds are shown on the map overlay for EV charging stations. As a result, you can confidently plan each route knowing that your EVs will arrive at their destinations.
Efficiency & Charging Reports: These reports show specific fuel and energy consumption information for your fleet as well as charging patterns to pinpoint the best times and practices. To track the effects of your electric fleet, keep track of energy use, carbon emissions, effective MPG, and the proportion of electric miles traveled compared to petroleum usage.
Samsara’s comprehensive fleet management solution, which combines GPS tracking, compliance, and safety on a single platform, includes these EV features.
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Using EVs, Increase the Sustainability of Your Company
Though being a young technology, EVs will only progress and become more sustainable. EVs provide consumers and businesses with a sensible alternative for a cleaner future as the air pollution brought on by operating ICE vehicles rises to a greater level of concern. Register for a free trial to find out more about Samsara’s EV fleet management system.
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