Are electric cars better for the environment?

Let’s clarify: electric cars unquestionably have a lower environmental impact compared to their petrol and diesel counterparts. Transitioning away from fossil fuels is a positive step for the environment.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that electric cars are not entirely without environmental consequences. While they currently stand as one of the most environmentally friendly options, they still produce emissions at various stages of their lifecycle. Achieving complete environmental sustainability in electric vehicles is a goal that is yet to be fully realized.

So, in what ways can electric cars pose challenges for the environment?

Environmental impact of electric vehicles

The positive side of electric cars is evident – with no tailpipe, EV owners contribute zero CO2 emissions while driving, promising improved air quality as the number of electric vehicles on the roads increases. Additionally, the reduced noise output from electric cars aids in mitigating noise pollution, especially in urban areas.

However, when we shift our focus off the road and onto the production phase, the environmental narrative takes a different turn.

**Production Impact:**
The primary environmental impact of electric cars begins in the manufacturing process. CO2 emissions from electric car production are 59% higher compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. This discrepancy is predominantly attributed to the battery manufacturing process. The geographical location of production also plays a role, with most car batteries manufactured in countries like China, South Korea, and Japan, where carbon-intensive electricity production is prevalent. A report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) reveals that in China, a substantial 35-50% of total EV manufacturing emissions stem from electricity consumption for battery production, a figure up to three times higher than in the United States. Shifting to wind power alone in electricity generation could lead to a 50% reduction in emissions during the production phase in China.

**Battery Materials:**
Electric cars rely on lithium batteries composed of base metals like copper, aluminium, and iron, all of which demand energy-intensive extraction processes. The carbon-heavy nature of this extraction process prompts some to question the true green credentials of electric cars. Cobalt, a crucial metal in EV batteries, is particularly controversial due to its negative humanitarian impact.

In Germany, the Institute for Economic Research has raised concerns, suggesting that electric vehicles might not significantly reduce CO2 emissions in the country in the coming years. According to the Institute, the CO2 emissions of battery-electric vehicles could, in the best case, be slightly higher than those of a diesel engine. However, contrasting studies in Germany have reached opposite conclusions, emphasizing the ongoing debate over the environmental impact of electric cars.

One study found that emissions are up to 43% lower in EVs than diesel vehicles. 

**Type of energy the car consumes:**

Governments worldwide are actively advocating for cleaner energy to align with the climate targets established by the Paris Agreement. This development is particularly encouraging for electric vehicle (EV) owners, as it opens the door for electric cars to potentially achieve a 100% green status once they depart the manufacturing phase.

However, in the current scenario, many electric vehicles still contribute to emissions as they draw power from the UK grid. Nevertheless, the increasing integration of renewable energy sources into the UK grid mix raises the prospect of electric cars operating solely on 100% renewable energy in the foreseeable future. Moreover, the utilization of vehicle-to-grid chargers may enable these cars to even contribute surplus energy back to the grid.

In the UK, there has been an 8% reduction in emissions from electricity generation over the past three years alone. Projections indicate an anticipated further decline of over 70% by the mid-to-late 2020s, underscoring the nation’s commitment to a substantial reduction in carbon emissions through a transition to cleaner energy sources.

Electric car carbon footprint

Determining the precise carbon footprint of an electric car is challenging, contingent on factors such as the car model and the country of production.

The provided chart offers a lifecycle emissions estimate for both a standard European conventional car (with an internal combustion engine) and a Nissan Leaf electric vehicle across various countries, along with the EU average. The estimation encompasses tailpipe emissions, fuel cycle emissions encompassing oil production, transport, refining, and electricity generation. Additionally, it accounts for emissions from manufacturing the non-battery components of the vehicle, coupled with a cautious estimate of emissions stemming from battery production.

How long do you need to own an electric car before it’s fully green?