Is a Honda PCX125 scooter is greener than an electric car ?
Electric cars are often touted as a solution to the climate crisis, but they are not without their drawbacks. Electric cars still require a lot of energy and resources to produce and operate, and they may not be as clean as they seem. In this article, we will compare the environmental impact of an electric car with that of a Honda PCX125 scooter, a popular model of petrol powered scooter.
Emissions
One of the main advantages of electric cars is that they do not emit tailpipe emissions, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). These emissions contribute to global warming, air pollution, and health problems. However, electric cars are not zero-emission vehicles, as they still rely on electricity from the grid, which may come from fossil fuels. According to a study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), the average CO2 emissions of an electric car in Europe in 2020 were 66 grams per kilometer (g/km), compared with 122 g/km for a petrol car1. However, this figure varies depending on the country and the source of electricity. For example, in Poland, where most electricity comes from coal, an electric car emits about 206 g/km of CO21.
On the other hand, a Honda PCX125 scooter emits only 47 g/km of CO22, which is lower than both an electric car and a petrol car. Moreover, the Honda PCX125 scooter has a low-emission engine that meets the Euro 5 standard, which means it has reduced levels of NOx and PM2. Therefore, in terms of emissions, a Honda PCX125 scooter is greener than an electric car.
Energy efficiency
Another factor to consider is the energy efficiency of the vehicles, which measures how much energy is converted into useful work. Electric cars have an advantage over petrol cars in this aspect, as they have more efficient motors that waste less energy as heat and noise. According to the US Department of Energy, electric cars have an average efficiency of 77 percent3, while petrol cars have an average efficiency of 16 percent3.
However, a Honda PCX125 scooter also has a high efficiency rating, thanks to its innovative features such as the Enhanced Smart Power (eSP) system, which reduces friction and improves combustion; the Idle Stop system, which automatically stops the engine when idle; and the Smart Key system, which optimizes battery usage4. According to Honda, these features can improve fuel economy by up to 14 percent4. The Honda PCX125 scooter has an average fuel consumption of 2.1 liters per 100 km4, which translates to an efficiency of about 45 percent5. Therefore, in terms of energy efficiency, a Honda PCX125 scooter is comparable to an electric car.
Resource consumption
A third aspect to consider is the resource consumption of the vehicles, which includes the materials and energy used for their production and operation. Electric cars have a higher environmental impact than petrol cars in this aspect, as they require more rare metals and minerals for their batteries and motors. For example, lithium is a key component of lithium-ion batteries used in electric cars, but its extraction and processing can cause water shortages, land grabs, and ecosystem destruction in countries such as Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, and China6. According to a report by Greenpeace UK, the US’s transition to electric vehicles could require three times as much lithium as is currently produced for the entire global market6.
On the other hand, a Honda PCX125 scooter has a lower resource consumption than an electric car, as it does not require any batteries or rare metals. It also has a smaller size and weight than an electric car, which means it uses less materials and energy for its production and operation. According to Honda’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) report for 2019, the total environmental impact of a Honda PCX125 scooter over its life cycle was 3.8 tons of CO2 equivalent (CO2e), while that of a Honda Clarity Electric car was 18.9 tons of CO2e. Therefore, in terms of resource consumption, a Honda PCX125 scooter is greener than an electric car.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have seen that a Honda PCX125 scooter has several advantages over an electric car in terms of emissions, energy efficiency, and resource consumption. While electric cars are still better than petrol cars for the environment, they are not perfect, and they may not be suitable for everyone.
A Honda PCX125 scooter, on the other hand, is a more affordable, convenient, and eco-friendly option for urban mobility. Therefore, we can say that a Honda PCX125 scooter is greener than an electric car.
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