Electric Dreams or Eco Illusion? Are EVs Really the Future of Green Driving?

Your EV might be silent, but is it silently harming the planet?

Much of the media and politicians have been pushing the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in recent years, claiming they are the solution to the problems facing the planet.

But are EVs truly the greener future we are wanting, or are we just trading one problem for another?

Global EV sales chart from 2014 to 2023 by EV Volumes

The EV market has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by increasing consumer demand, government incentives, and automakers' strategic shifts. in 2024, global EV sales reached approximately 12 million units, accounting for about 15% of all new car sales- a substantial increase from 3.1 million in 2020.

Governments worldwide have implemented policies such as subsidies, tax breaks, and stricter emissions standards to encourage EV adoption. Notably, the European Union (EU) has set a target to ban the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in 2035, aiming to accelerate the transition to cleaner transportation.

Key players in the EV industry include Tesla, BYD, Volkswagen (VW), and Ford. The past decade saw Tesla be the sales leader. However, as of April 2025 BYD has become the market leader in battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales.

Traditional brands have also signigicantly expanded their EV line-up with VW and Ford investing heavily in new battery technology.

It's easy to see why. EVs offer many environmental and technological advantages. Zero tailpipe emissions improve urban air quality and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.

They also reduce our dependency on fossil fuels,with power grids increasingly relying on renewable sources of energy as another factor.

Advances in battery technology have led to longer ranges and faster charging times, reducing range anxiety.

Even with their production included, EVs will on average emit half the emissions of ICE cars over their lifetime.

However, the adoption of EVs is not as clear cut as sections of the media and politicians would like to admit.

Battery production relies heavily on materials like lithium, cobalt, and other rare earth metals, which are often mined under conditions that raise serious environmental and human rights concerns.

Additionally, electricity grids in many regions still depend on fossil fuels, meaning EVs still indirectly contribute to greenhouse gas emission.

The recycling and disposal of EV batteries pose another environmental challenge, as current systems for end-of-life battery management are underdeveloped. The life-span of car batteries is also significantly lower than well maintained combustion engines.

High upfront costs and limited charging infrastructure are also major barriers for many consumers.

EV adoption also varies widely across regions due to economic, infrastructural, and policy differences. Countries like Norway lead the way, with over 80% of new car sales being electric, supported by robust incentives and clean energy grids.

In contrast, countries like India face slower uptake due to cost barriers, limited charging infrastructure, and a coal-heavy energy mix. This combined with India being the third largest polluter in the world.

While EVs dominate the headlines, several other technologies could play an important transitional role in decarbonising transportation. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) combine internal combustion engines with electric motors, offering improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions without the range anxiety.

PHEVs, in particular, can operate on electric alone for short trips and switch to ICE on longer trips, improving practicality and usability in everyday use. But regular charging is required to get the most out of them.

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles present another alternative, especially for heavy-duty transport like lorries and buses. They emit only water vapour and can be refueled similarly to ICE cars. However, hydrogen production is currently energy intensive and costly, and refueling infrastructure remains sparse.

Despite the apparent benefits of electric vehicles, they are not without their flaws. The rapid adoption of EVs that those in politics and the media expects, seems to be overly optimistic. Other, more transitional technologies such as hybrids and plug in hybrids are going to play a greater role in decarbonisation, even if that means emitting more emissions for the short term.

Hydrogen fuel cell propulsion will play a significant part in heavy duty transportation as well.

However, there is no doubt that electric vehicles will come down in price, and so long as battery technology continues to improve, their adoption will continue.