The Evolution of Eco-Friendly Cars: Shaping the Future

How much do you drive a day? How much CO2 do you usually emit from your car?

Many automakers now produce electric cars, and these vehicles are no longer rare. Nowadays, it’s hard to go out without seeing an electric car. Governments around the world are also encouraging the use of these environmentally friendly vehicles. Do you think all conventional gasoline cars will eventually disappear? Will we reach a time when all cars emit zero greenhouse gases?

Now, let’s explore the topic of electric vehicles, including their current popularity and future projection.

What Kind of Cars Are There?

There are mainly four types of cars: Gasoline-Powered Cars, Hybrid Vehicles, Plug-in Hybrids and Electric Vehicles (EVs). CO2 emissions vary significantly among these types, with each type contributing differently to overall greenhouse gas emissions.

Let’s examine the amount of CO2 emitted by different types of cars. Emissions vary notably between conventional gasoline cars and other vehicle types:

Gasoline-Powered Cars: On average, they produce around 11,435 lbs (5,187 kg) of CO2 annually, considering both direct emissions from fuel combustion and upstream emissions from fuel production​.

Hybrid Vehicles: Hybrids are more efficient since they combine gasoline engines with electric motors. They can reduce emissions to about 6,258 lbs (2,839 kg) of CO2 annually​.

Plug-in Hybrids: These vehicles rely more on electric power, further reducing emissions to around 5,772 lbs (2,618 kg) per year​.

Electric Vehicles (EVs): EVs emit the least CO2, with about 3,932 lbs (1,783 kg) of CO2 annually​. It’s about a third of Gasoline-Powered Cars!! These figures include both direct electricity uses and emissions from electricity production.

(Source: U.S. Department of Energy)

It is said that there are over 1.5billion cars in the world. Let’s assume 1 billion cars are in use and compare the total emissions if all cars were Gasoline-Powered versus all EVs.

11,435 lbs (5,187 kg) × 1 billion – 3,932 lbs (1,783 kg)× 1 billion ≒ 7.5 trillion lbs (3.4 trillion kg）

So if we all used EVs, we could reduce about “7.5 trillion lbs (3.4 trillion kg)“ of emissions!!!

Of course, this seems more like a story for the future.

Surprisingly, some places are even setting deadlines to phase out gas-powered cars altogether. The European Union, for instance, has proposed banning the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars by 2035. California, one of the biggest car markets in the world, is following a similar path.

How Much Are Electric Cars Shared Worldwide?

The average real-world electric driving share is about 45%–49% for private cars and about 11%–15% for company cars.

Due in large part to substantial price reductions by Tesla, the average price of electric vehicles (EVs) dropped by 17.7% from January to December 2023. Estimates from Kelley Blue Book indicate that EV sales in the U.S. hit a record 1.2 million units in 2023, marking a 46.3% increase compared to 2022.

What is the Cost of Purchasing and Using EVs?

According to a survey form THE ELECTRIC SCHEME, they analyzed the annual fuel costs for the average UK driver travelling 7,400 miles a year. Petrol drivers are estimated to spend £1,268 annually, while electric car drivers spend£680. This means a petrol driver will have spent more on fuel by mid-July than an EV driver will spend all year.

Governments Stepping In: The Push for Greener Policies

It’s not just automakers and technological advancements driving the EV revolution—governments are playing a huge role too.

Many countries are offering incentives, like tax breaks and rebates, to make EVs more affordable for drivers. For example, some people may already know that in the U.S., you can get a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 when purchasing an electric vehicle. That’s a pretty sweet deal, right?

The Roadblocks: Challenges We Still Need to Overcome

Of course, the shift to electric vehicles isn’t without its challenges. Here are some disadvantages of electric vehicles (EVs):

・Spending more time for charging

・Lack of charging stations

・The longevity of batteries

・The cost of replacing a battery

・High top speeds is inferior to conventional gasoline cars

・Fixing EVs is complicated

・The temperature has a negative effect on EVs

However, according to a data from Fortune Business Insights, a global business consultancy, the global electric vehicle market was valued at $500.48 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from $671.47 billion in 2024 to $1.89 trillion by 2032.

For example, consider charging stations.

Charging is getting faster and more convenient. Public charging stations are popping up everywhere, from highway rest stops to grocery store parking lots. As of 2024 the U.S. has over 192,000 publicly available charging ports, with approximately 1,000 new public chargers being added each week.

As of October 2024, Canada boasts approximately 32,668 operational Level 2 (L2) and Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) ports, a significant increase from just 7,605 in 2018. This growth represents the addition of nearly 25,100 new charging ports over seven years, which is roughly 4.3 times the number available in 2018.

Moreover, home charging solutions have improved, meaning you can easily charge your car overnight, just like you do with your phone.

Given this progression, it is clear that this expanding market will continue to improve electric vehicles, and the disadvantages mentioned above will soon diminish.

In Conclusion

The evolution of eco-friendly cars, especially electric vehicles, has been nothing short of remarkable. From the early hybrids like the Prius to the today’s cutting-edge EVs, we’ve seen a shift in how we think about transportation. It’s not just about convenience but also about sustainability and minimizing our environmental impact. We are on this journey together, and although challenges persist, the way ahead is clearer than ever.

Choosing EVs for your car can contribute to a cleaner environment, but whether we use EVs or not, we all need to contribute to sustainability. At Carbon Da Capo, we can also help you with carbon credits that are widely traded between companies like Tesla, Ford, BMW and others.

 So, next time you’re out on the road, take a moment to imagine the possibilities ahead. The future of driving is electric, and it’s looking brighter every day.