Buying an electric car pleases Mother Nature... depending on where you drive

New York

• 82 percent of the energy produced in the state is non-renewable. Oil (28 %) and nuclear power (25 %) are the two main sources, followed by natural gas (18 %) and coal (12 %).

As you can see, the United States has a long way to go to ensure EVs are powered by clean energy. Driving these vehicles may boost people's image, but it doesn't really help Mother Nature if they run on electricity that comes from fossil fuels, for example.

Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com

Several other factors must be taken into consideration, however. Some researchers have questioned the manufacturing process of lithium-ion batteries and, in turn, the potential of EVs to curb global warming. Their report also sheds a dark light on the supposedly-green hydroelectric dams and wind turbines since these facilities can destroy forests, rivers and even entire ecosystems.

The bottom line is that we have to start thinking outside the box and looking at the impact of EVs from an all-encompassing point of view instead of merely focusing on energy ratings, emission levels and the use of recyclable materials.


_{Sources : Gouvenement de la Colombie-Britannique, Gouvenement de l'Ontario, Gouvernement du Québec, U.S. Energy Information Administration, Energy Atlas, Colorado Geological Survey, The Texas Tribune, One Block Off the Grid.}