The vast majority of cars on the road burn fossil fuels as a means of making them go, powered as they are by internal combustion engines. But, while they may be convenient, these vehicles are also some of the most significant contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, the transport sector accounts for roughly a quarter of carbon dioxide emissions the world over.
This is cause for concern. With over a billion cars on the road in 2021, there’s little chance that climate change prevention policies will ever have a chance to be really effective. Not only is this bad news for the planet as a whole, it’s also really bad news for your personal health. Unless, of course, more and more of those vehicles end up being electric.
Electric vehicles vs internal combustion engine cars
Before delving deeper into the negative impact standard petrol and diesel cars have on your health, you might be thinking that it’s no use even trying to convert people. You see, many believe electric cars to be inferior to their polluting counterparts.
However, the reality is that they are more energy-efficient than internal combustion engine cars by up to 70%, depending on the make and model. Plus, with so many impressive models on the market right now, you can be sure to find one that suits your needs, whether you want speed, comfort, style, or all of the above.
As if that wasn’t enough, they also don’t produce harmful pollutants that adversely affect people’s physical health, whereas internal combustion engine cars do. These pollutants are particularly detrimental to children and vulnerable adults. They include:
1. Greenhouse gases
You might have thought that the damage caused by greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), was confined to the earth’s atmosphere. However, changes in the atmosphere contribute indirectly to the premature deaths of thousands of people every year, because they bring about drought, flood, and other extreme weather events.
2. Carbon monoxide
Chances are, you have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your home, and for a good reason. CO is a poisonous gas that prevents oxygen from getting around your body and vital organs.
3. Particulate matter
Particulate matter is made up of tiny particles, both organic and inorganic, that are emitted by car engines, particularly diesel ones. Studies have shown that exposure to these particles can bring about heart attacks and respiratory issues.
What are the health benefits of electric vehicles?
By investing in an electric vehicle, you can help to hold off the frightening health effects brought about by internal combustion engine cars. This means that you’ll reduce the number of dangerous pollutants you and the people around you breathe in. And, as increasing numbers of people opt for electric vehicles, there will eventually be an overwhelming improvement in air quality across the world.
That’s not to say that electric cars are perfect, though. There’s no getting away from the fact that they have to draw their energy from somewhere. And, with electricity grids running on a combination of coal, natural gases, and, increasingly, renewable sources of energy such as installing solar panels and nuclear power, powering an electric car will still inevitably have some impact on the environment.
Unfortunately, though, that’s not going to change until the world’s electricity comes primarily from renewable sources. In the meantime, though, electric vehicles are undoubtedly far more friendly for your health and for the environment. With today’s advanced technologies, having a traffic radar for your car would also help avoid time-consuming traffic jams and unfavourable emotions that could have a negative impact on your health.
Why choose an electric vehicle?
In terms of looking out for your own health and safety as a driver, you can’t really do much better than an electric car. They still produce zero pollutants as you drive them and run on cleaner sources of energy than petrol and diesel engine cars. Factor in the high-tech features of top-of-the-range models such as Tesla, and your next electric car will make for a good investment for a whole load of different reasons.
