Electric VS Fossil Fuel Cars - G4 Chemistry
- Mateusz Dunaj
- Jun 2, 2023
- 9 min read
Sustainability of production of petrol and batteries
Introduction:
As the world strives towards a sustainable future, it is imperative to critically examine the ecological consequences of our everyday choices. Two crucial components of modern life, petrol and batteries, have become indispensable resources, powering our vehicles and technological devices. However, the production processes involved in extracting and refining petroleum, as well as manufacturing batteries, cast a long shadow on the environment. In this article, we dive into the web of environmental implications resulting from the production of petrol and batteries. We aim to shed light on the significant challenges posed by these industries, which contribute to climate change, pollution, and resource depletion. By understanding the intricate relationship between our energy sources and their environmental consequences, we can make informed decisions and collectively work towards minimising our ecological footprint. Furthermore, recognizing the connections between energy sources and the natural world allows us to explore alternative, greener technologies and encourage sustainable practices throughout the entire lifecycle of these vital resources.
In the following sections, we will delve into the specific environmental impacts associated with the production of petrol and batteries. By raising awareness and fostering informed discussions, we can collectively steer our societies towards a more sustainable future. By addressing these issues, we can strive for a coexistence between our energy demands and the health of our planet. Join us on this enlightening journey as we unravel the relationship between our energy choices and the environment, aiming to forge a path towards a greener and more sustainable future.
Impact of production of petrol on the environment
A petrol engine is one of the most common internal combustion engines that was created to be powered by petrol, in other words known as gasoline. These engines can be reprogrammed and adapted to run on other fuels such as liquified petroleum gas and ethanol blends. Nevertheless, they are most commonly filled with gasoline. This is what allows them to provide drivability and durability to varied types of vehicles. Being an internal combustion engine, petrol engines work by combustion. The process involves burning and the basic chemical release of energy from a fuel and air mixture. It occurs inside of the engine which is made with a fixed cylinder and a moving piston. The way the engine works is thanks to the expanding combustion gases which push the pistons. These pistons rotate the crankshaft of the engine. With the help of other gears in the engine, the motions help drive the vehicles of the different internal combustion vehicles.
In the current day there are two main internal combustion engines that are most often produced. The first one is called the spark ignition gasoline engine and the second one is called the compression ignition diesel engine. Their main difference is the way in which they supply and ignite fuel. The spark ignition engine uses petrol as its source of fuel. For this reason spark ignition engines are more preferred than the compression ignition diesel engines. Petrol is very volatile so it only requires a small spark to burn. In other words it requires a lower temperature to be powered, which makes it more favourable. The engine works thanks to the fuel mixed with the air that is then inducted into the engine and compressed. Following this step is the compression of the air and fuel mixture by the pistons of the engine. This results in combustion. After the ignition these engines generally produce less smoke that is set out to the atmosphere.
Pros:
One of the several benefits of petrol is its availability. It makes it convenient for car owners to refuel their vehicles. This is especially useful in areas with limited charging infrastructure. Additionally, petrol has a higher energy density than other power sources, allowing cars to travel longer distances. Petrol engines are also known for their performance capabilities, delivering high horsepower and torque for quick acceleration and higher top speeds. The durability and reliability of petrol engines contribute to their long lifespan and consistent performance.
Another benefit of gasoline that we can outline is its versatility. Petrol can be used in a variety of vehicles including: cars, motorcycles, boats, and small engines like lawnmowers. It provides potential consumers with a wide range of options. In some regions and market dynamics, petrol can also be cost-effective compared to alternative fuels, particularly in areas with low electricity prices or limited fuel options.
Cons:
One of the downsides of petrol-powered engines is that petrol is not renewable therefore if we do not reduce our consumption of it we might run out of it in our life span. Moreover, it contributes to the greenhouse effect and is considered one of the main contributors to global warming which is one of the main threats to humanity and poses more and more challenges. It produces carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and unburned hydrocarbons when it is burned [1]. Obtaining fossil fuels can also be quite dangerous to the environment and people. Oil and gas are volatile and easily flammable, thus it is not hard to cause fire and put many lives at risk [2]. Furthermore, if an oil rig burns it can emit many poisonous and noxious gases into the air that will enhance the greenhouse effect and pollute it, as well as it plays a role in the formation of ground-level ozone which is one of the main components of smog. Also, petrol contains harmful substances such as benzene that can be released into the atmosphere during fuel combustion [3].
Impact of production of batteries on the environment
An alternative for combustion-run vehicles, which has been gaining more and more relevance in recent years are electric cars. These vehicles are simply powered by motors connected to its wheels, which usually take power from battery packs located under the floor of the car. This technology most importantly is emission-free, apart from other advantages, like instantly available torque as well as lack of noise. The technology is not without faults, however. The vehicles’ batteries, even though the cars do not produce emissions like combustion engines, are still very costly in resources and energy to make. The factories which make batteries are very high polluters, and some even argue that battery production is more costly to the environment than combustion engines operations at all.
The lead-acid battery, which is made of two electrodes submerged in a sulphuric acid solution. This older technology is strong, effective, and recyclable. Its weight is a drawback. This type of battery is usually noticeable in specific thermal vehicles or computers. If a battery is made with better materials, it has more of the good stuff called pure lead inside.
Even while countries like India and China are relying on renewable energy sources like solar electricity, the decision that seems to be the most environmentally friendly yet results in significant collateral harm. The dominate cause is a lack of distribution networks in these nations, forcing them to use lead batteries to store their energy.
A 2011 study from the academic journal Energy Policy discovered that at that time, the solar energy industry in China and India had already released close to 2.4 million tonnes of lead into the environment, or about a third of global production. China closed 583 lead battery factories at the same time due to the pollution of nearby populations. Lead not only has a negative impact on the environment, but also on our health. According to the website Notre-Planète.info, lead exposure can harm the cardiovascular system in addition to causing memory loss. It can result in miscarriages and early births in pregnant women.
The lithium-ion battery, on the other hand, is a more modern invention that relies on the reversible exchange of the lithium ion between a positive electrode (a lithium transition metal oxide) and a negative graphite electrode. Its huge amount of available energy is a benefit. Its disadvantage is that its cost is higher, which has traditionally limited its use to small devices like watches and cell phones. Nevertheless, it is currently present in computers and electric vehicles.
Impact of production of batteries on human health
Lithium compounds are used both in electrodes and in the electrolyte of lithium ion cells. Lithium ions are less reactive than lithium metal, however ionic lithium has exceptionally toxicity effects and chronic effects on the central nervous system.
Lithium metal is very reactive, hence very dangerous. It reacts with water to form hydrogen, which is a flammable gas. Reactions with metallic lithium release heat and sometimes other hazardous products to the surroundings. Direct contact with it could cause severe burns. However, lithium ions are usually present, which are much safer. Negative electrodes for lithium ion cells consist primarily of carbon. Carbon dust can irritate eyes and the mucous membranes.
Normal operating temperatures of lithium ion cells don’t present significant burn hazards, and normally operating cells don’t expose the user to material hazards. Because the precise composition of batteries is unknown and information about battery materials is kept confidential, a full presentation is impossible. Some possible lithium ion battery materials are toxic, carcinogenic or could undergo hazardous chemical reactions that produce heat or gases. The main ones are lithium, nickel and arsenic compounds and fluorides.
Production of electric car batteries can be harmful for the environment. Such batteries are made of elements like lithium, cobalt and manganese. A 2021 report prepared by Nature estimates that most common car batteries use about 8 kilograms of lithium, 14 of cobalt and 20 of manganese [5]. The mining of those elements causes damage for the environment.
Lithium-ion cells are the most popular type of car batteries, even though there are many others. It happens so, because of their cost-effectiveness and good storage capacity of electricity.
Lithium is produced mostly in South America. Is extracted from its brine by evaporating the water. Because of it, mining uses a lot of groundwater. This may deprive people living nearby from drinking water and harm farming by reducing the water available - it is very important to notice that lithium is mostly extracted in regions where the water is limited and is very valuable. Also, the liquid that remains after the extraction can contain toxic or radioactive elements and has to be first properly handled before it can be released.
Cobalt is the second main component of electric car batteries. It is a byproduct of mining of copper and nickel, but as well it can be mined on its own (main producers are Australia and Democratic Republic of Congo). Its production is very problematic, as its mines produce toxic residues, which can leach to the environment, poison water etc. [6]. Also, smelting the ore produces fumes that contain high concentrations of sulphur oxide, together with other air pollutants.
Manganese is often forgotten as the one of materials needed in production of electric car batteries. The reality is that it is a very important component of them. It is the fifth most abunding metal (often found together with iron). It is mined all over the world (80% of its production comes from Australia, Brazil, China, India and Ukraine), usually in the open pits.
This can cause abundant air pollution - notably in dry areas, as dust from mining can easily rise. Manganese can also pollute soil and water. [8]
Conclusion
Both options - a petrol engine as well as the electric version of it have their advantages and disadvantages. People often emphasise that the first option has a negative impact on the environment.
To generalise the findings:
It must be said that in many areas of the world there are very few charging places for electric cars, which can be limiting when buying a new vehicle and the only option is the use of a gasoline engine. Furthermore, the range of different vehicles use petrol, so you can buy a car, motorcycle or other such as lawnmowers! Also, the brand doesn't cause any problems as not so many cars have their electric equivalent.
The factor that generally contributes to the negative impact on the environment (of this kind of engine) is the effect on the atmosphere it has - greenhouse effect and smog. In addition, petrol is not renewable and the extraction of it can be dangerous to human beings.
You may want to consider other available options which are electric vehicles. People often say that it is better to buy them, because they do not pollute the air. In reality, sure vehicles do not produce carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, but the production of car batteries contributes to environmental pollution. It has definitely one advantage - huge amounts of available energy in those batteries.
References:
“Gasoline and the environment - U.S. Energy Information Administration.” EIA, 29 December 2022, https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/gasoline/gasoline-and-the-environment.php. [Accessed 22 May 2023].
“The Advantages & Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels | Inspire Clean Energy.” Inspire Clean Energy,https://www.inspirecleanenergy.com/blog/clean-energy-101/advantages-disadvantages-fossil-fuels. [Accessed 23 May 2023].
Onissiphorou, Kate. “What Chemicals Are In Petrol? | The Science Blog.” ReAgent Chemical Services, 21 December 2022, https://www.reagent.co.uk/blog/what-chemicals-can-be-found-in-petrol/. [Accessed 23 May 2023].
Delubac, Arnaud. “What is the environmental impact of a battery?” Greenly, 28 September 2022, https://greenly.earth/en-us/blog/ecology-news/carbon-footprint-battery. [Accessed 25 May 2023].
National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Current Status of Environmental, Health, and Safety Issues of Lithium Ion Electric Vehicle Batteries, September 1995, https://afdc.energy.gov/files/pdfs/2953.pdf. [Accessed 25 May 2023].
“Electric cars and batteries: how will the world produce enough?” Nature, 17 August 2021 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02222-1. [Accessed 25 May 2023]
“High human exposure to cobalt and other metals in Katanga, a mining area of the Democratic Republic of Congo” ScienceDirect, 31 May 2009, tttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935109000814?via%3Dihub. [Accessed 25 May 2023]
“Manganese Pollution in Mining-Influenced Rivers and Lakes: Current State and Forecast under Climate Change in the Russian Arctic” MDPI, https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/7/1091. [Accessed 25 May 2023]
“Are electric car batteries bad for the environment?” EVBOX blog, 10 February 2023 https://blog.evbox.com/ev-battery-environmental-impact. [Accessed 25 May 2023]
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