Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are automobiles including cars and motorbikes, utilizing energy stored in rechargeable batteries or fuel cells, eliminating the need for petrol or diesel. The demand for electric cars is continuously rising due to their environmental benefits and ongoing technological advancements.
Electric vehicles are gaining popularity in Pakistan, primarily due to consistent rise in fuel prices. People prefer eco-friendly and budget-friendly choices. To tackle pollution and minimize smog, the Punjab government is promoting the use of electric bikes and vehicles.
Types of Electric Vehicles
There are different types of EVs
Battery Electric vehicles (BEVs)
These vehicles entirely run on batteries which store electrical energy. These vehicles have no tailpipe emissions and require recharging from external sources.: A battery electric car available in Pakistan are: the BMW i3, GUGO GIGI, Audi e-tron GT
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
These types of vehicles have both an electric motor and a petrol engine. These vehicles run on electric power for a limited range and then switch to petrol. The available PHEVs are the Toyota Prius, Toyota Aqua, Honda Fit, Honda Vezel, Lexus RX Series, and Toyota Crown.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
These vehicles have features of both conventional combustion and an electric motor. These are different from plugin hybrid electric vehicles. The electric motor enhances the engine to boost fuel efficiency. Available HEVs are Toyota Prius Hybrid, Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid, Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Electric, Camry Hybrid Electric, Rav4 Hybrid Electric, Haval H6 HEV, Nissan Dayz Highway Star G.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)
In FCEVs, the electrochemical process converts the hydrogen gas into electrical energy. This electricity runs the vehicle’s electric motors. These are not charged from an electric source. Instead, they use compressed hydrogen gas stored in outboard tanks as a fuel.
| Type of Electric Vehicle | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) | Vehicles that run entirely on electric batteries with zero emissions. They require external recharging. | Audi e-tron, BMW i3, GUGO GIGI, Audi e-tron GT |
| Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) | Vehicles with both an electric motor and a petrol engine. They can operate on electric power for a limited range and can be recharged externally. | Toyota Prius, Toyota Aqua, Honda Fit, Lexus RX Series, Toyota Crown |
| Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) | Vehicles combining a petrol engine and electric motor. Unlike PHEVs, they cannot be charged externally but improve fuel efficiency. | Toyota Prius Hybrid, Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid, Camry Hybrid Electric, Haval H6 HEV |
| Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) | Vehicles powered by hydrogen gas. The electrochemical process generates electricity to run electric motors, with no need for charging. | Hydrogen-powered vehicles (Global examples include Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo) |
Benefits of EVs
Here are some key benefits of electric vehicles:
Zero Emissions
These vehicles don’t produce emotions from their tailpipes. EVs are clean and eco-friendly. So, EVs are contributing to reducing air pollution and global warming.
Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency is a major advantage of EVs over traditional vehicles. They efficiently use energy from the grid and most of this energy directly powers the wheels. In traditional vehicles, internal combustion due to fuel, wastes a lot of energy as heat. So, EVs can manage energy combustion efficiently.
Maintenance cost
EV running cost is less as compared to fuel-consuming vehicles. Traditional vehicles need fuel which is expensive as compared to charging EVs. Electric vehicles need less maintenance as compared to fuel vehicles because EVs do not need much repair and oil changes.
Reduce noise pollution
EVs produce little noise as compared to normal vehicles because their engines have no loud moving parts or exhaust systems. So, EVs are contributing to reducing noise pollution. Calm and quieter roads help improve the quality of life in big cities and reduce overall pollution.
Limitations of EVs
Here are some limitations
Limited range
One limitation is the fear of running out of battery charge before reaching a destination. The people are nervous due to the limited driving range and lack of charging stations.
Reduce Battery Age
With time, EV batteries lose charging capacity, much like phones.
Lack of Clean Energy
The carbon emissions ability of EVs declines if they depend on grids that use fossil fuels for electricity production.
High Initial cost
EVs are more expensive than regular cars. Additionally, batteries and home chargers for EVs are also expensive.
Limited Charging Infrastructure
A modern charging infrastructure is necessary for the widespread use of EVs. This requires a consistent, accessible, widespread network of charging stations supporting various charging speeds and vehicle types.
Resale Value and Battery Lifecycle Management
Electric vehicle users often worry that the resale value of their vehicles will decrease because the battery’s efficiency declines over time. To solve this issue, strategies should be adopted to make batteries reusable or recyclable. This can help improve battery performance and alleviate users’ concerns.
Climate sensitivity
Cold weather affects battery efficiency by increasing the charging time and reducing the driving range.
Conclusion
The adoption of electric vehicles in Pakistan is difficult due to several reasons. High costs due to import duties make EVs unaffordable for the majority of Pakistanis. There are fewer charging and recycling facilities for batteries in most areas of Pakistan. These factors limit the promotion of EVs in the country.
