Electric cars emit fewer greenhouse gases than most other forms of transportation.

author: FutureCar Staff    

A recent analysis conducted by the Department for Transport (DfT) has provided insights into the environmental impact of different fuel types and modes of transport. The study revealed that when it comes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, electric cars rank second only to coaches in terms of low direct and indirect emissions.

While train journeys have slightly lower pollution levels, electric vehicles (EVs) outperform trains due to their lack of direct CO2 emissions. Direct emissions are generated by the transport mode itself, while indirect emissions encompass CO2 emissions from the production of the fuel used. In the case of EVs, this refers to electricity generation.

For instance, when comparing a journey between London and Glasgow, the analysis showed that the average petrol car emits over four times more CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) per passenger than a coach, and three times more CO2e per passenger than an electric car, taking into account emissions from electricity generation and distribution.

Furthermore, a plane journey emits nearly twice as much CO2e per passenger as a journey by an average petrol car. Plane journeys, especially those with multiple passengers, contribute significantly to GHG emissions. They also require additional travel to and from airports and have uncertain climatic effects due to factors such as the reflection of sunlight on contrails.

However, the DfT report also highlights that car journeys, particularly those to ferry terminals, result in significantly higher GHG emissions compared to other modes of transport. The distance covered by cars to reach the ferry terminal leads to increased emissions.

Efficiency in terms of emissions can be achieved by choosing more direct routes. This is one of the reasons why the DfT's example train journeys demonstrate lower estimated total emissions.

According to the statistics, cars accounted for 75% of the road vehicle miles traveled in the UK in 2021 but produced 57% of transport emissions. In contrast, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) represented a smaller proportion of vehicle miles (6%) but contributed disproportionately higher emissions (21%).

Jack Cousens, the AA's head of roads policy, believes that these statistics demonstrate how EVs will revolutionize the greenhouse gas profile of private cars in the near future. He also emphasizes the importance of increasing the share of wind, solar, and tidal power generation in the UK, which would make car journeys even greener and more affordable.

The DfT report reveals that domestic transport was responsible for emitting 109 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in the UK in 2021, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. However, emissions still remain below historical trends. Transport is the largest emitting sector of GHG emissions, accounting for 26% of the UK's total emissions in 2021 (427 MtCO2e). On the other hand, emissions from international aviation decreased by 10% from 2020 to 13.3 MtCO2e, following a significant decline of 64% in 2020.

On average, each local authority emitted 304 kilotonnes of CO2e through transport, with 32% of Nitrogen Oxides (NOX) emissions and 14% of particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers across (PM2.5) emissions attributed to transport.

Matas Buzelis, a car expert at CarVertical, expressed disappointment over the 10% increase in greenhouse emissions from domestic vehicles in 2021. However, considering the extended lockdown periods in 2020, this rise is not entirely surprising. Buzelis cautioned against regressing and losing momentum due to the government's decision to postpone the ban on petrol and diesel cars until 2035.

FutureCar Staff