'Fantastic for cities but not an ecological solution': Jaggi Vasudev on EVs

Are electric vehicles truly as great for the environment as are claimed to be? The jury is still out on this and while battery-powered mobility options are gradually taking over global roads, many also point to factors such as pollution caused during EV manufacturing and ‘dirty’ sources of electricity generation. Renowned spiritual leader Jaggi Vasudev has expressed his views on this and feels that while there is a certain degree of benefit from zero tailpipe emissions, EVs aren't the ecological solutions.

Speaking on the long-term effects of EVs on the environment at an event in Chikkaballapur on Sunday, Vasudev expanded on his views. “Electric vehicles are fantastic for city environment and health and well-being of urban dwellers but not an ecological solution as we are anyway burning fossil fuel to generate electricity," he said.

Vasudev further admitted that EVs can help to keep city air clean and that people should buy such vehicles. But he also added that EVs won't be a one-stop solution for all that is plaguing the environment. “As responsible citizens, you should do it (buy EVs). But do not imagine that electric vehicles will solve all environment problems. It is not so because converting one form of energy to another, there is a certain loss."

Vasudev's remark echoes the widely discussed argument that electric vehicles cannot be truly eco-friendly unless components used in EV batteries and source of electricity also do not lead to pollution. While India is mostly dependent on coal for electricity generation, there are other more eco-friendly sources like hydro, wind and solar energy that contribute nearly 41 per cent of energy generated each year.

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