Comparing the Greenness of EVs to Petrol or Diesel Cars

author: FutureCar Staff    

Carmakers are investing billions of dollars to develop new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with the goal of having over 30 million of them on European roads by 2030. While electric cars produce no tailpipe emissions, the manufacturing process and production of batteries still contribute to carbon emissions.

When assessing the environmental impact of BEVs, it is important to consider their entire life cycle, including the production, use, and disposal of the vehicles. The extraction, refinement, transportation, and manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries are energy-intensive processes, resulting in higher emissions during the production phase compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) cars.

Although the manufacturing process for ICE cars may have a lower carbon footprint, car manufacturers like Volkswagen, Toyota, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and General Motors have committed to becoming carbon-neutral by specific target years.

Swedish company Polestar has set an ambitious goal of producing a net-zero car by 2030, aiming to eliminate all carbon emissions from raw material extraction to end-of-life handling. While the initial carbon gap between BEVs and ICE cars may be significant, electric cars emit no emissions during their lifetime, apart from particles from tires and brakes, while ICE cars continue to emit CO2.

According to research by Transport & Environment, an average EU electric car is nearly three times better in terms of carbon emissions compared to an equivalent petrol or diesel car, and this gap continues to widen. The benefits of BEVs will further increase as the electricity grid becomes greener, with electric cars emitting significantly less CO2 than petrol cars even in countries like Poland with batteries produced in China.

Battery technology and alternatives to standard lithium-ion chemistry are continuously improving, which will help reduce the price of BEVs. Companies like CATL and BYD are exploring alternatives and methods to reduce the use of rare minerals and improve battery recycling. The European Commission has proposed regulations to ensure ethical mining techniques and promote effective recycling of raw materials, fostering a circular economy.

While challenges exist throughout the entire life cycle of BEVs, the overwhelming evidence suggests that they produce fewer carbon emissions than ICE cars over their driving lifetimes. As battery technology and manufacturing techniques advance, the lifetime of batteries and electric vehicles will continue to improve.

It is important to consider that the environmental impact of oil extraction for fuel is much greater than the carbon emissions associated with BEVs. Transitioning to electric vehicles is a crucial step towards reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment.

FutureCar Staff