Switching to electric vehicles raises many queries regarding expenses and effectiveness. However, what about their ecological footprint compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles? Consider these six aspects.
As we journey toward a carbon-neutral future, countless motorists worldwide are making the transition to electric vehicles.
Approximately one-fourth of global greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to transportation, with around half of those emissions originating from personal vehicles.
A method to reduce this contamination without completely abandoning car use is to switch to electric vehicles, a proposition advocated by certain environmental activists as crucial for addressing global warming.
But they don't all agree This approach moves ahead, highlighting that electric vehicles (EVs) still have an environmental impact.
Therefore, considering that both options leave some form of ecological impact, does it make more sense to transition to an electric vehicle or keep using one that’s still operational?
Below is a point-by-point comparison of how electric cars fare against traditional vehicles concerning environmental impact.
What is the difference between the carbon footprint of a gasoline car and an electric vehicle?
Gasoline-powered vehicles and electric cars vary considerably when it comes to their carbon emissions over a lifetime. The latter releases approximately 48 metric tons of CO2 throughout its life span, which is about 40% higher compared to an electric vehicle. These statistics were derived from a thorough analysis conducted by the Transportation Energy Institute in 2021, based on an assumed operational distance of 320,000 kilometers (approximately 200,000 miles) for each vehicle’s lifecycle.
However, electric vehicles (EVs) indeed possess a larger CO2 footprint throughout the extraction and manufacturing phases. According to the same analysis, an EV released approximately 11 metric tons during these initial stages, which is over twice as much carbon emissions as those generated in producing a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine.
How long does it take for an electric car to compensate for its carbon emissions?
Operating an electric vehicle generates no emissions, which implies that it can compensate for its "carbon deficit." According to Brian Cox, a specialist in sustainable transportation at the Swiss consultancy firm INFRAS, an EV in Switzerland can balance out its carbon impact once it has traveled between 20 to 30,000 kilometers.
Even if you purchase a new gas or diesel vehicle and the following day dispose of it to get an electric one, you would still be better off compared to driving the diesel car exclusively.
In Germany or an average European country, it amounts to approximately 60,000 to 70,000 kilometers over six to seven years, as mentioned. The duration can change depending on the type of electricity used; cleaner power sources allow for quicker compensation.
Do electric cars actually emit zero CO2 when they are being driven?
Certainly and not. Conventional vehicles consume fossil fuels, contributing significantly to their large carbon footprint. Additionally, car emissions lead to issues like acid rain, smog, and respiratory illnesses.
Electric vehicles do not consume fossil fuels directly. In this aspect, their use is more environmentally friendly since they depend on electrical energy. However, the total ecological effect hinges on the greenhouse gas output of the power grid. Should the electricity originate from non-renewable sources like coal or natural gas, powering an electric vehicle would result in secondary emissions.
"The power system is highly complex and interlinked, making it challenging to address these issues," explains Jeremy Michalek, who leads the Vehicle Electrification Group at Carnegie Mellon University in the United States.
He explains that energy trade among various regions and nations may also explain the inconsistencies found in carbon footprint analyses of electric vehicles.
Should your nation’s electricity come from more sustainable sources, connecting an electric car still has the potential to cause alterations in power stations of nearby countries.
To what extent does the production of electric car batteries contribute to environmental harm?
Obtaining materials for electric vehicle batteries presents environmental difficulties. Lithium , a crucial element, has been linked to water depletion and pollution in South America's "lithium triangle," which accounted for one-third of global lithium extraction in 2022.
Extracting one ton of lithium necessitates approximately 2 million liters of water, which could supply around 125 electric vehicles, according to Georg Bieker, a senior researcher at the International Council on Clean Transportation. However, he points out that producing gasoline consumes up to ten times as much water throughout its lifecycle.
Cobalt Another significant resource, which has been associated with habitat destruction and health risks, accounted for approximately 40% of cobalt consumption in 2022. Most of this cobalt originated from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Cobalt workers face health risks from inhaling dangerous cobalt dust, leading to lung ailments. Additionally, they may encounter radiation from uranium present in the mineral deposits. Furthermore, small-scale mining operations have connections with child labor practices and often experience cave-ins due to unsafe conditions.
Are electric car batteries recyclable?
Indeed, electric car batteries possess high recyclability. However, based on Georg Bieker’s insights, extensive recycling efforts likely won’t be common until these current batteries reach the end of their lifecycle around 15 to 20 years from now.
According to Georg Bieker, our research indicates that the present battery technology can operate for over 1,500,000 kilometers (1,000,000 miles). We anticipate that the battery’s lifespan will exceed the period during which the vehicle itself will likely be utilized.
The market is shifting towards recycling due to European Union regulations requiring the retrieval of up to 95% of materials such as cobalt and copper, along with a provision in the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act that encourages designating recycled batteries as "Made in America" to qualify for subsidies.
Could there be circumstances where it’s preferable to continue using a gasoline-powered vehicle?
Certainly. For instance, if a vehicle is rarely used.
"The additional energy required to construct this battery doesn’t pay off since you don’t travel much with it," explains Brian Cox from INFRAS.
A more preferable choice would be to utilize public transportation or car-sharing services. Should you require a vehicle occasionally, renting an electric one could be a good solution instead of relying solely on traditional modes when public transport isn’t feasible. This approach will likely prove much better compared to using your conventional gasoline-powered car.
Edited by: Tamsin Walker
Sources:
Transportation Energy Institute: https://www.transportationenergy.org/resources/the-commute/life-cycle-carbon-emissions-of-electric-and-combus
The European Commission Department of Environmental Affairs
https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/new-law-more-sustainable-circular-and-safe-batteries-enters-force-2023-08-17_en
The Global Committee for Clean Transportation
https://theicct.org/us-ev-battery-recycling-end-of-life-batteries-sept23/
Hear the complete Living Planet podcast episode discussing combustion versus electric cars here.
Author: Kathleen Schuster
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