A recent study undertaken by the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur has called into question the widely held idea that electric vehicles (EVs) are the most environmentally benign mode of private transportation. The study also reveals that the purchase, insurance, and maintenance of EVs are more expensive in the long run.
According to the survey, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are the most environmentally beneficial automobiles. Prof. Avinash Agarwal and his team from IIT Kanpur, along with a Japanese organisation, are responsible for this innovative breakthrough.
The new IIT Kanpur study analyses the overall environmental impact of electric vehicles (EVs) or battery electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and traditional internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered cars.
According to Professor Avinash Agarwal, who did the study in collaboration with a Japanese organisation, a normal ICE-powered automobile is less expensive than an electric vehicle, yet HEVs are more environmentally beneficial. Prof. Agarwal, on the other hand, believes that EVs could be advantageous to taxi or fleet owners.
To compute the Life Cycle Analysis and Total Cost of Ownership of cars, the study was divided into three groups: two foreign categories and one Indian category. The study then discovered that BEVs release 15-50% higher greenhouse gases in numerous categories when compared to a normal ICE-powered vehicle.
The source of the electricity used to charge a BEV is a substantial contribution to this emission. India gets the majority of its energy from coal, which contributes significantly to CO2 emissions. BEVs are also 15-60% more expensive to operate per kilometre when factors such as long-term, purchasing, insurance, and maintenance are considered.
BEVs are the most dangerous of the three car types, but they are being supported by the government through lower taxes and other benefits to customers. Hybrid vehicles produce the fewest GHGs in the comparison group and are 1.5 to 2 times more efficient than regular ICE vehicles. However, HEVs are the most expensive of the bunch and are heavily taxed.
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