The Anatomy of Green Transportation

11 Apr 2025

10 Min Read

Ir Dr Phang Swee King (Academic Contributor)

IN THIS ARTICLE

Contributed by Ir Dr Phang Swee King, whose research focuses on mechatronics, autonomous system, control engineering, and more. He can be reached at sweeking.phang@taylors.edu.my.

It begins with a normal day. You step out of your house, ready to start the day, and approach your usual ride—a petrol-powered car. It’s familiar, reliable, but also noisy, fuel-hungry, and leaves a faint trail of exhaust as you drive away. Now picture a different kind of ride waiting for you in the driveway: a sleek, quiet electric car that powers on with the press of a button—no rumble, no smoke, just a gentle hum as it glides forward.

The Science Behind Green Transportation

Green transportation refers to the use of vehicles and travel systems that reduce harm to the environment. At its core, it’s about lowering air pollution and cutting down carbon emissions—the gases that trap heat in our atmosphere and contribute to climate change.

Rather than relying on fossil fuels like petrol or diesel, green transport turns to cleaner energy sources, offering smarter and more sustainable ways to get from one place to another.

This shift is driven by three key ideas: energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable mobility. Energy efficiency means using less energy to travel the same distance.

Renewable energy comes from sources that naturally replenish—like sunlight, wind, or flowing water—unlike fossil fuels which take millions of years to form. Sustainable mobility is about creating transport systems that don’t just serve people today, but can continue to work well into the future without damaging the planet.

_{For every kilometre a petrol-powered car travels, it can emit over 200 grams of carbon dioxide. Multiply that by thousands of vehicles idling in traffic each morning and evening, and the environmental impact quickly escalates. In contrast, electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions. When powered by renewable energy, their overall carbon footprint is significantly lower.}

How Green Vehicles Work

Electric vehicles, or EVs, run on electricity stored in a rechargeable battery. These batteries power an electric motor that moves the car. Unlike traditional vehicles, there’s no engine burning petrol, which means there are no fumes and no noisy exhaust. Hybrid vehicles are a bit of both—they use a combination of a petrol engine and an electric motor to improve fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

Engine in a Toyota Mirai - first mass-produced fuell cell car in the world.

_{Some vehicles, especially in more advanced systems, even run on hydrogen fuel cells, which produce electricity from hydrogen and only emit water vapour as a by-product.}

The main components of an EV consist of the battery, electric motor, and charging system. The battery stores electricity—similar to your smartphone, but much bigger. The electric motor takes that stored energy and turns it into movement. And the charging system is what connects the car to a power source, like a home charger or a public charging station, to keep it running.

A good example of how this technology is transforming the region is BYD, a Chinese company whose full name—Build Your Dreams—feels particularly fitting. Originally a battery manufacturer, BYD is now one of the world’s largest EV producers. In countries like Singapore, Thailand, and even parts of Malaysia, BYD cars and buses are becoming more common, making electric travel more affordable and accessible.

_{BYD has introduced its ‘Super e-Platform,’ a 1,000-volt system that enables peak charging speeds of up to 1,000 kilowatts. This allows EV to gain approximately 400 kilometres (249 miles) of driving range with just a five-minute charge, effectively matching the refuelling time of traditional gasoline vehicles. Source: BYD.}

Beyond Cars: Sustainable Transport for Cities

While electric cars and scooters are an important part of the green transportation movement, they’re just one piece of the puzzle. In big cities, where traffic jams and pollution are everyday issues, the real game-changer is public transport.

Bus running clean energy charging at station

_{Electric buses, bicycles, scooters, and well-designed public transit systems offer cleaner alternatives to individual car use. Not only do they reduce the number of vehicles on the road, but they also cut down on traffic and emissions while keeping cities moving efficiently.}

Take Kuala Lumpur, for example. Rapid KL has introduced electric buses that produce zero emissions while driving. These buses are not only better for the environment but also quieter, creating a more pleasant experience for passengers and pedestrians alike. The Malaysian government’s National Energy Policy is supporting this shift by investing in EV infrastructure, making it easier for cities to expand their electric bus fleets.

_{In China, the city of Shenzhen went even further. It became the world’s first city to replace its entire public bus fleet with EVs—more than 16,000 buses in total. The result? A massive reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and a quieter, cleaner urban environment. Source: Knowledge Hub}

India, too, is making impressive strides. Ola, known for its ride-hailing services, has launched electric scooters designed specifically for urban use. These scooters are affordable, easy to maintain, and emit no exhaust fumes. With government incentives and a growing charging network, they’ve become a practical solution for many city dwellers looking to ditch petrol-powered two-wheelers.

Asian economies face rising transport emissions due to urbanisation, fossil fuel reliance, and limited green infrastructure, while high EV costs, weak public transit, and outdated systems further worsen the issue. A shift towards sustainable mobility requires investment, innovation, and collaboration.

— Ir Dr Phang Swee King

Conclusion

Green transportation is more than just a cleaner way to travel — it’s part of a global response to climate change. Every EV on the road and every bus that runs without fumes is a step towards a more sustainable future. As the world races to cut carbon emissions and protect our planet, the way we choose to move has never mattered more.

If topics like green transportation, sustainable cities, and smart mobility spark your curiosity, engineering could be your path forward. Start with our Foundation in Engineering and progress into the Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Honours)—where you'll explore how technology powers a cleaner, smarter future.

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