Earth Day Every Day: How Riding Electric Two-Wheelers Can Make A Difference

EVs are cheaper when it comes to their maintenance, as they have fewer moving parts and much less often ordinary servicing is required, and that's just one of the benefits.

By Hari Kiran

Started in 1970 as a consequence of the increasing environmental concerns and is celebrated on April 22, Earth Day, a significant date, that serves as a valid reminder for individuals to be aware of their role in maintaining as well as saving nature. It directs attention to our common task to compensate for the environmental damage of the Earth we live on. We must institutionally assess the state of our planet and take significant steps to lessen the already occurring climate change and ecological decay. 

A major part of this mission is shifting towards sustainable and alternative means of transportation and electric two-wheelers can be quite a good option for it. This article sheds light on the environmental degradation caused by conventional internal combustion engines (ICE) two-wheelers and the potential of electric two-wheeler bikes to foster urban green mobility. 

Environmental Impact Of Conventional ICE Two-Wheelers 

Conventional ICE two-wheelers, powered by fuel or diesel engines, have long been a staple of urban transportation in many parts of the world, including India. However, their great use comes at a big environmental value. These vehicles release different gasses classified as pollutants like carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), these contribute to air pollution, and smog formation, which have adverse health consequences. 

In India, it is the two-wheelers which are the major source of air pollution in the cities constituting a whopping 32 per cent of total air contamination. On average, the two-wheeled vehicles using the ICE produced CO2 emissions of 41.2 gCO2/km during the 2018–19 financial year. This is because two-wheelers are the dominant mode of transport in roads and the per-vehicle emissions are slightly higher than cars and trucks. Thus, it is estimated that the two-wheelers accounted for over 80 per cent of the total vehicle sales in FY 2020–21. The use of fossil fuels to run these vehicles only makes things worse, because these combustion tail gasses acid as well, which has only worsened the air pollution problem. 

Promise Of Electric Two-Wheelers

By switching internal combustion engines with electric engines and batteries, we will be moving towards a greener society. A very important feature of the electric-wheelers is the low carbon footprint. The production of lithium-ion batteries does pollute but the overall lifecycle emissions of these vehicles compared to conventional vehicles are very low. Each kWh of battery which has a capacity of eighty and is made up of lithium-ion, creates between 2.5 to 16 metric lots of CO2 emissions. Hence, electricity-powered cars do not produce pollution during operation while internal combustion vehicles still emit pollutants continuously during their lifetime. 

With that, electric cars are cheaper when it comes to their maintenance, as they have fewer moving parts and much less often ordinary servicing is required. Moreover, various monetary offers for EV consumers by the state and Central governments are one of the main factors that are now contributing to the popularity of electric vehicles along with the decrease in taxes. Furthermore, electric vehicles might run on renewable power sources of sunlight and wind energy. Green electricity thus goes into recharging battery-powered cars and the latter contributes directly to phasing out fossil fuels, one of the key steps away from a non-eco-friendly energy future. 

As we celebrate Earth Day and reflect on our relationship with the planet, it's crucial to consider the role of transportation in shaping the environmental landscape. The day serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all lives on Earth and the importance of preserving the planet for future generations. 

Every year, Earth Day serves as an opportunity to engage in environmental training, advocacy, and action, to inspire tremendous change and spread the idea of sustainability. By embracing electric-powered mobility, we can reduce emissions, improve air quality, and build extra sustainable cities for future generations. 

As individuals, groups, and governments, we all have a role to play in transitioning closer to cleaner and greener transportation alternatives. By making the switch to electric-powered two-wheelers and supporting sustainable urban mobility projects, we can create a healthier, greater resilient planet for all.

(The author is the Co-Founder & COO of eBikeGo)

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