EVs vs Petrol/Diesel Cars: A Green Comparison

author: FutureCar Staff    

Carmakers are investing billions of dollars into the development of 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 of these vehicles and their batteries still contribute to carbon emissions.

The life cycle emissions of BEVs include those created during the production, use, and disposal of the vehicles. This means that everything from the extraction and refinement of raw materials, to the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, to the recycling and reuse of the vehicles at the end of their life must be taken into account. The production phase of battery electric cars emits higher levels of emissions compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) cars.

Although the manufacturing process for ICE cars may not have as high of a carbon footprint, car manufacturers like Volkswagen, Toyota, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and General Motors are making efforts to become carbon-neutral in the coming decades. In contrast, Swedish company Polestar aims to produce a net-zero car by 2030, eliminating all carbon emissions from the extraction of raw materials to end-of-life handling.

While there may be a significant carbon gap between BEVs and ICE cars at the time of sale, during the lifetime on the road, ICE cars continue to emit CO2 while electric cars emit no emissions except for particles from tires and brakes. Research by Transport & Environment (T&E) shows that, on average, an 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. Even in countries like Poland with a battery produced in China, electric cars still emit 37% less CO2 than petrol cars.

The raw materials used in battery production are one of the reasons why BEVs are still more expensive than ICE cars. However, as battery technology improves, new alternatives to lithium-ion batteries are being explored. Companies like CATL and BYD are developing sodium-ion batteries and reducing the use of rare minerals like cobalt in their battery production.

Recycling or reusing batteries is an important step in reducing life cycle emissions from electric cars. The European Commission has proposed a regulation to establish sustainable battery laws, including ethical mining techniques and more effective recycling of raw materials. Reconfiguring batteries for a "second life" in electricity storage on the grid can also lower the overall carbon footprint of battery production.

While there are challenges throughout the entire life cycle of BEVs, it is important to remember that they create fewer carbon emissions than ICE cars over their driving lifetimes. Advanced battery technology and manufacturing techniques will continue to improve the lifetime of batteries and electric vehicles, further reducing their environmental impact. Additionally, the environmental impact of oil extraction for fuel is much greater than that of BEVs.

FutureCar Staff