Are electric cars better for the environment than other types of vehicles?

 Electric cars have been getting their fair share of attention in the media lately, and with good reason. They're eco-friendly, tech-driven, and offer a one-of-a-kind performance. However, one of the questions that we're hearing pretty often when it comes to EVs revolves around their green performance. Are electric cars really better for the environment? Toyota of Orlando is here to explain. 

Are electric cars better for the environment? Local and non-local emissions explained. 

Here's the thing - the answer isn't as cut-and-dry as most people expect. It's kind of a yes and no situation and a lot of different variables play into the answer. Basically, it all comes down to local emissions and non-local emissions. 

• Local emissions are the emissions that come out of your vehicle directly and affect the places where you drive. Internal combustion engines are guilty of this, putting out emissions every time they hit the road. Electric cars, on the other hand, run on electricity and don't use internal combustion to power themselves so they don't put out emissions. On the local emissions level, they're definitely better for the environment. 
• Non-local emissions are a different story and that's where things start to get a little bit fuzzy on whether or not electric cars are better for the environment. Your electric car runs on electricity, right? You have to use electricity to charge it. However, where your electricity comes from is where the determining factor lies. If your state or city uses fossil fuels as a power source, then technically, your car isn't emissions-free... at least not on the non-local level. If your electricity comes from solar, wind, or hydropower, then you're in better shape. 

It also comes down to the issue of batteries in electric cars. These vehicles use lithium-ion batteries to power themselves. The problem is that these batteries have to be disposed of very carefully; they can't be traditionally recycled or put into a landfill. As more and more electric cars are produced, figuring out what to do with the batteries once they're no longer viable could be a problem. 

Further, it takes a lot of energy to produce this type of battery, which can create even further emissions without you even realizing it. You really have to look at the big picture. 

If you're concerned about emissions and want to ensure that your vehicle is as clean as possible, you'll have to do your due diligence. See where your electricity is coming from before you decide on an electric car; if it comes from fossil fuels, weigh both options, and don't forget about our selection of hybrids and plug-in hybrids. 

What is Toyota's Clean Assist Program? 

And don't forget, Toyota offers the Clean Assist Program. When you charge your electric Toyota, the company will calculate the amount of electricity you're using as well as the net emissions produced by the charging process. Then, they'll generate or buy an equivalent amount of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to ensure that all of your charging activity is matched with zero-carbon electricity. 

Have more questions about whether or not electric cars are really better for the environment? Call Toyota of Orlando today - we've got answers. You can reach us at (407) 298-4500 o come see us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.