8.Electric cars are considered more eco-friendly because:
They do not cause air pollution
They are built from bio-degradable parts
They can carry more people
They are cheaper
Electric cars are considered more eco-friendly primarily because they do not cause air pollution from tailpipe emissions, unlike internal combustion engine vehicles that release harmful pollutants like CO2, NOx, and particulates directly into urban air. This makes option 1 the correct answer in the multiple-choice question.
Option Analysis
They do not cause air pollution
Electric vehicles (EVs) produce zero exhaust emissions during operation, eliminating tailpipe pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbons that contribute to smog and respiratory issues in cities. While EVs may indirectly generate emissions from electricity production, these often occur at power plants away from population centers, improving urban air quality significantly. Studies show EVs reduce PM2.5 and PM10 particles compared to diesel or petrol cars, even accounting for brake and tire wear.
They are built from bio-degradable parts
This is incorrect; EV components like lithium-ion batteries, motors, and chassis use non-biodegradable materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and plastics, which pose recycling challenges and environmental risks during mining and disposal. Battery production has a higher upfront impact than fossil fuel cars, but lifetime emissions remain lower. Biodegradability is not a defining eco-friendly feature of EVs.
They can carry more people
Passenger capacity varies by model and is unrelated to eco-friendliness; many EVs like sedans or hatchbacks match standard cars, while SUVs exist in both EV and ICE variants. Larger capacity does not inherently reduce per-passenger emissions, as efficiency depends on energy source and design, not size alone.
They are cheaper
EVs often have higher upfront costs due to batteries, though lower operating expenses from cheaper electricity and maintenance offset this over time. Cost is an economic factor, not an environmental one, and does not explain their eco-friendly status.
Environmental Benefits Beyond Air Pollution
EVs promote sustainability by integrating with renewable energy grids, cutting lifecycle greenhouse gases by up to 50-70% versus gasoline cars in many regions. They also reduce noise pollution and enhance energy efficiency, with motors converting over 85% of energy to motion compared to 20-30% in ICE vehicles. For biology and ecology students, EVs support biodiversity by curbing acid rain and habitat degradation from fossil fuel pollutants.
