Electric Vehicles do not pollute

 

There are lists of the electric vehicles available in Australia  here and here.

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Did you know that Australia has some of the poorest emissions regulations for vehicles? This is despite premature deaths amounting to around 1,700 annually, significantly more that are caused by vehicle accidents. As well there are hundreds of thousands of hospital admissions caused by respiratory and coronary disease annually induced by vehicle exhaust pollution. As well, the fuels burnt in the current fleet of internal combustion vehicles (ICV) generate green house gases contributing to global warming and causing climate change. Nearly all fuel is imported, seriously impacting on the nations GDP and poses a security risk during uncertain times. 

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The Conversation report that battery electric vehicles have significantly lower energy losses compared to other vehicle technologies. The well-to-wheel losses of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles were found to be almost as high as fossil fuel vehicles.  However, announcements by CSIRO have shown large gains in efficiency on small scale, for the manufacture of ammonium an it's conversion to hydrogen. So it may not be long for Hydrogen vehicles to beome more efficient.

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However, there is good reason to anticipate changes to the vehicles on Australian roads. Surveys indicate many people would like to purchase an electric vehicle (EV).  EV's have travelled around Australia.  The charging network is extensive for long distance travellers. There are a range of fuel efficient and zero emission vehicles currently and proposed for release in Australia. Several countries have set targets for the adoption of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), some countries have banned diesel fuel cars and some manufacturers have signalled their intent to phase out the internal combustion engine.

 

The heavy vehicle fleet is also changing.  Garbage trucks, running on battery power are built in Melbourne and around the world.  Various companies world wide are talking of delivery vans, trucks and buses powered by battery power while heavy trucks and trains powered by hydrogen are not far away.

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The emissions of all Australian vehicles is available from the Green Vehicle Guide to help consumers make a cleaner choice of vehicle.

 

The various types of electric vehicle are described below and shown in descending order of their greenhouse gas emissions.  As more renewable energy (RE) is used to power the electricity grid, all EVs produce even less pollution and more benefits for human health and the world's environment.

 

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) have been in service for several years. These have a dual energy system, petrol and electric. The power for the electric motor is stored in a battery and sourced from the momentum of the car when the brake is used or the throttle is released.  The petrol motor can also charge the battery. The two energy systems are synchronised to give the best emissions result. However, these vehicles cannot by charged by external sources. These vehicles make use of the vehicles kinetic energy to recover energy already burnt in the petrol motor to charge their battery. This energy is also used to propel the car, making HEV more fuel efficient than normal ICV, which in turn reduces emissions.

 

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are similar to the HEV but they can be plugged into the electricity grid to have the battery charged. These have a short electricity only range of 20 to 45 k. However, with the petrol engine as well, the travel range of  the PHEV are extended to around 600 k. When these vehicles are charged using RE, their emissions reduce even more.

 

Battery Electric vehicles (BEV) rely entirely on battery power to propel the vehicle. Batteries are charged using the grid or at specialised cargeing stations. Their emissions are zero when using RE, but from the grid the emissions will be dependent on the proportion of renewable energy (RE) used for electricity generation. This will decline over time as RE increases within the grid. Even now, a grid powered vehicle will generate less greenhouse gases than a normal ICV. If charged using RE, they are zero emissions vehicles.

 

BEVs in Australia had a relative high price and often, short travel range (60 k) making them relatively unattractive given the distances often travelled here. However, Tesla cars had a range of 250k and greater and a comparably higher price that is reducing. Over time, fast charging stations have spread along the main highways and Governments are encouraging this. Also, a number of manufacturers are planning on the release of BEVs with longer ranges of 250 k and greater. Some of these models are reported to be more competitively priced and should start to impact on car sales in Australia from 2019.

 

Hydrogen Vehicles (HV) use hydrogen to propel the vehicle in an emissions free internal combustion engine. East Asia and Europe are making great steps forward with both light and heavy vehicles powered by hydrogen. Recent breakthroughs in the development of low energy cost ammonia and its conversion to hydrogen by CSIRO potentially make this technology energy efficient and cost competitive compared to existing technology. The ammonia production process could be powered by RE and then this fuel is emissions free. There are no plans to import these vehicles to Australia as yet. However, some are reportedly on trial with a local authority in Victoria.

 

Smaller vehicles such as motor bikes, scooters, mobility scooters and bicycles are all being powered (or assisted) by batteries. This makes these personal transports very fuel efficient and emissions free when charged by RE. Queensland has recently changed the rules about these personal transport options.

 

This technology is rapidly changing at the moment. Below are links that will provide more info, details and news to keep you updated. The Electric Vehicle Council also has a map showing EV charging points across Australia.

  The Driven,   The Electric Vehicle Council, EVolution (Resources).