There are many myths and misunderstandings about electric trucks nowadays. Many of those concern batteries and how they affect the environment. It’s crucial to be able to tell fact from myth in order to make informed decisions and investments.
It is difficult to transform India’s transportation industry sustainably. Especially when there are over 70% of commercial vehicles that are running on diesel engines like Tata LPT 2821 Cowl. Over the next ten years, it will necessitate both laws and regulations from the government. In the meantime, the number of heavy-duty vehicle models with zero emissions and the electrification of transportation is growing. Even though the batteries play a significant role in this, how sustainable are they? Let’s find out.
1. The ecological effect of electric truck batteries is greater than that of diesel trucks. Electric truck investment is not yet worthwhile.
When the truck is in use, the impact on the environment is relatively minimal. However, during manufacture, the impact is slightly larger. This is because generating an electric vehicle has a greater environmental impact than producing a diesel vehicle because the production process requires more energy. However, if the battery-powered truck uses electricity produced from a renewable resource. In typically less than a year, the climatic effect will be lower than that of a diesel truck after merely 100,000 km.
This is why it’s crucial to do a life cycle assessment, taking the environmental impact of the vehicle into account during its entire existence, not just during construction. Much measurable progress has been achieved in recent years, and investments are currently being made to create batteries powered exclusively by renewable energy.
2. Because there is a shortage of green energy, it is not environmentally friendly to charge electric vehicles.
Access to green electricity is necessary for an electric vehicle to have a positive climate impact. In nations where there is no access to green electricity, there will be no climatic benefit. However, there are a number of other significant environmental considerations with regard to electric vehicles. For instance, there would be no exhaust emissions, less noise, a better work environment, a significant increase in the quality of the local air, and the ability to carry goods in zero-emission zones.
3. Electric truck batteries cannot be recycled or used again.
Both are currently feasible, and as battery numbers rise, so do investments and development in this field. When a truck battery reaches a specific capacity, it can either be switched to a vehicle with lighter operations or used on a route where a shorter range is sufficient.
There are numerous possibilities when the battery capacity is no longer usable. For instance, remanufacturing the battery to bring it back to its original state. Another significant application that may happen is the battery’s refurbishment or reuse in residential or commercial energy storage. The final phase in recovering the battery’s precious components will be recycling.
4. It is preferable to wait until there are more investments in green vehicles or until trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells take the place of battery electric trucks.
Both fuel cell technology and battery electric vehicles work well together, and both will have to face the difficulties that lie ahead. The best answers vary depending on the mode of transportation, the needs of the consumer, and regional conditions like infrastructure.
Electric trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells are a zero-emission alternative for the most energy-intensive tasks, such as hauling huge loads and long distances. They satisfy long-term productivity and sustainability demands. Although fuel-cell electric trucks are not now widely accessible, they will become more commonplace over the next few years. On the other hand, battery electric trucks are already fiercely competitive and could surpass diesel in profitability within a few years.
Regarding the battery electric vehicle’s range, the energy capacity of the batteries is a crucial component. Today, battery electric vehicles can handle a significant portion of the freight transit in India because of ongoing battery development and expanding charging infrastructure. One shouldn’t wait for additional green expenditures due to a number of factors, including the climate.
5. Human rights are violated during the battery manufacturing process.
Various raw materials, many of which come from mines, are used to create an electric battery. Cobalt is one significant element frequently found in lithium-ion batteries. Due to labour and human rights abuses in nations, the source has generated controversy over the past few years. For many years, the automotive industry has collaborated to maintain supply chain traceability in order to guarantee that suppliers uphold and respect human rights, the environment, and corporate ethics.
6. Cold weather reduces battery efficiency, making electric trucks a less attractive alternative.
The effect is not as great as one might imagine. Some trucks include technologies that assist in maintaining the batteries’ ideal temperature (+25 degrees Celsius) when the day begins.
It’s important to remember that cold weather causes the cab to heat up more energy, which always reduces the vehicle’s range regardless of the driveline.
7. If everything is to be electrified, there are not enough minerals for batteries.
Manufacturers should worry about the availability of various minerals. It might not cause a problem in the near future. Still, in the long run, it will be necessary to consider alternate minerals, cut back on the quantities required, and use more recycled materials.
In order to comply with India’s emission policies, many businesses have set high goals for their greenhouse gas emissions, and battery electric vehicles are one way to do so.
8. Compared to ICE engines, EVs are more sophisticated.
Compared to ICE engines, EVs are thought to be more complex. However, compared to gasoline/ICE vehicles, which contain more than 1000 moving parts, EVs are really less complex, having less than about 40 moving components. EV customers should anticipate lower maintenance costs and environmental advantages over automobiles with internal combustion engines.
Concerns exist over India’s grids’ ability to supply electricity to all upcoming electric vehicles. How will India respond to the need for EV charging infrastructure in the future?
9. The charger determines the rate of charging.
While this could seem to be true at first glance, it’s not. The size of the battery, the rate at which the vehicle can receive the charge, the amperage of the circuit, and additional components like the BMS and the off-board/onboard charger all affect how long it takes to charge a battery.
10. Since EVs cannot travel very far, how can they be charged?
Because they are concerned about the range and distance that EVs can travel, people are typically reluctant to purchase electric vehicles. Another issue that many people have is the lack of charging stations. However, the reality is that most people only go less than 50 km per day. Thus, they don’t require more than 150 miles of range each day. Instead of looking for a public charging station, they may easily charge at home throughout the course of the night to have a full battery for the following day. In addition, the infrastructure for EV charging is continuously growing. Therefore, India will soon have enough infrastructure to support its expanding EV industry.
Summary of findings
Once you’ve made the decision to switch to EVs, it’s important to ask the right questions because EVs are still relatively new in India. This green transportation option has the potential to drastically lower carbon emissions, enhance health, and fully assist India’s transition to cleaner, greener cities.
