Harmful side of HEVs
Photo: STAR
Every technology has its positive as well as negative impact on the users and the environment. Same is the case with Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs). HEVs are fuel efficient and apparently environment friendly. HEVs cover twice as many kilometers per gallon as conventional fuel vehicles. They produce less gas emissions than conventional cars. Even so, HEVs have created a new threat to environment, for instance, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) need charging of their batteries. So it requires a second fuel source. The power plants that supply the electrical grids for charging batteries are run by fossil-fuel. That again poses a threat to the environment. Moreover, the batteries used in HEVs, such as, lead-acid, nickel-hydride batteries contain toxic elements like lead, nickel which are very harmful to human health and environment. It may be mentioned here that some battery-operated light vehicles (popularly called Tomtom) have been introduced in our country and in some areas the number of these vehicles has increased significantly. There is no charging point for these electric vehicles. Often they use electricity from unauthorised connections to charge batteries. The used batteries of these vehicles should be returned to the authorised shops for recycling. In advanced countries, electric car manufacturers offer incentives to the vehicle owners for returning their used batteries for recycling. This will help protect the environment from being polluted by the used electric car batteries. In my opinion, the Bangladesh government may formulate necessary policy and law for safe disposal of lead, nickel, cadmium batteries used in various electrical and electronic gadgets. Some recycling plants for these used batteries may be set up under the government initiative.
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