Every internal combustion engine car built since 1975 probably has a catalytic converter. The catalytic converter uses heat to convert engine exhaust into less harmful pollutants.
Electric cars do not have catalytic converters. They do not produce harmful pollutants, so they do not need catalytic converters. Electric vehicles don’t even have exhaust systems to which catalytic converters are attached.
Read on to understand why electric vehicles lack catalytic converters, a vehicle component that has existed in cars for decades. I’ll also talk about the contribution of electric vehicles to air pollution and compare it to a combustion engine.
Why don’t electric cars have catalytic converters?
The exhaust from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is highly toxic, containing nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. The catalytic converter converts these toxins into less harmful carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen and water.
Electric cars do not have catalytic converters because they rely on electricity for power, which does not require combustion. Electric vehicle engines produce no emissions, so there is no need for a catalytic converter.
Electric vehicles use an electrical charge stored in batteries to power the movement. Therefore, the process does not produce harmful gases and is environmentally friendly.
The lack of petroleum products in an electric vehicle negates the need for a catalytic converter. In fact, catalytic converters are only needed for vehicles that burn fuel to keep the engine running.
Catalytic converters minimize the harmful gases released by ICE vehicles, but the harmful toxins still escape into the atmosphere.
Governments around the world mandated catalytic converters in response to the growing outcry over air pollution. The converters ensured that cars met the emission standards of the day.
Since then, authorities have taken further steps to reduce emissions, including banning the use of leaded gasoline cars. The catalytic converter remains common in most ICE cars manufactured today despite these steps.
Electric vehicles solve the pollution problem created by internal combustion vehicles.
Yet, many people have yet to embrace the idea of having an electric vehicle without exhaust. Excuses such as anxiety continue to plague the adoption of electric cars.
Some critics also mention that manufacturing electric vehicles creates a significant carbon footprint.
On a somewhat similar note, I also wrote a similar article entitled “Do Electric Cars Have a Clutch?” In that article, I also gave some additional statistics and more. Take a look!
In addition, skeptics remind everyone that electric vehicles use electricity from non-renewable sources, so electric vehicles still rely on gas and oil to power themselves at the end of the day.
However, electric cars pollute much less than ICE cars in the long run. The push for renewable sources of electricity also makes electric vehicles the best solution to motor vehicle pollution.
Catalytic converters help reduce pollution, but we should strive for a world without catalytic converters – a world in which an overwhelming percentage of the population uses electric cars. It will save the environment and save you the cost of replacing the converter when yours is stolen.
Do hybrid cars have catalytic converters?
Hybrid cars use electric power and ICE power to move the vehicle. Hybrid vehicles can use engine power or electric power independently or combine the two to improve performance.
Hybrid cars have catalytic converters because part of their power comes from internal combustion engines. When using ICE power, the machine releases harmful exhaust gases, which must be converted into less toxic gases by the catalytic converter.
You can also check out this somewhat related article I wrote entitled: “High Performance Electric Car Conversion”. I give you a full breakdown of the costs.
Hybrid electric vehicles charge the battery through regenerative braking – the system captures the energy typically lost during braking to charge the batteries. Plug-in hybrids charge the battery via a wall charger, ICE or regenerative braking.
When running on electric power only, hybrid cars produce no emissions. Therefore, the catalytic converter is not needed when the car is running on electric power.
The vehicle automatically switches to ICE power when the battery runs out. When it switches to ICE power, the catalytic power resumes normal operation.
| Type of car | Catalytic converter |
| Electric car | No catalytic converter |
| ICE vehicle | Has a catalytic converter |
| Hybrid car | Has a catalytic converter |
| Plug-in hybrid car. | Has a catalytic converter |
Frequently asked questions
Do electric vehicles produce zero emissions?
Electric vehicles produce near zero emissions. Electric vehicle batteries that are not fully charged produce negligible amounts of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide.
Some publications claim that braking electric vehicles emits harmful emissions. Nevertheless, electric vehicles generate far fewer emissions than internal combustion cars.
The main criticism of electric vehicles is that they use electricity from power plants that use fossil fuels, which indirectly makes the cars consume this fuel. However, the long-term benefits of electric vehicles outweigh this criticism.
Can a vehicle operate without a catalytic converter?
A car can run without a catalytic converter, but I wouldn’t advise removing the catalytic converter from an ICE. The vehicle will likely produce a check engine light once you remove the converter.
This will indicate that something is wrong with the system. In addition, it may be illegal in your jurisdiction to remove the converter. You will also be doing more damage to the environment by driving an ICE car without a catalytic converter.
