Are EVs Really Better for the Climate?

Climate change has become one of the most discussed topics in recent years, and the question of whether or not electric vehicles (EVs) are better for the environment has been a significant part of this conversation. With an increasing number of people switching to EVs, there are ongoing debates about the carbon footprint of EVs and whether they are indeed better for the environment. In this article, we will explore the research on this topic and provide an overview of the findings.

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Global Transport Emissions

According to recent reports, global transport emissions account for about 12 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent that go into the atmosphere each year. That’s roughly 25% of all human-induced greenhouse gases. Without a significant policy change, these emissions are predicted to nearly double by 2050, which would make it almost impossible to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above 1850 temperatures. To reduce emissions, it’s necessary to measure the full life cycle impact of each type of vehicle.

The ICCT Study

The International Council on Clean Transport (ICCT) produced a report in 2021, which aimed to clarify the full life cycle impact of different types of powered vehicles used in modern-day society. The study took into account a range of environmental factors, including the lifetime average carbon intensity of fuels and electricity mixes, carbon intensity during the useful lifetime of the vehicles, and average real-world usage. The ICCT also factored in the near-term global warming potential of methane leakage emissions from natural gas and natural gas-derived hydrogen fuels.

The ICCT study combined greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle production, maintenance, and recycling to give a single value for each vehicle type measured in grams of carbon dioxide equivalent for every kilometer the vehicle travels. However, the study didn’t account for emissions from building factories, distribution centers, or recycling plants, or the fuel for transporting vehicles and installing filling stations and vehicle chargers.

Fundamental Conclusions

The ICCT analyzed the data for each of the four major passenger vehicle regions, the USA, Europe, India, and China, and arrived at three fundamental conclusions.

Only battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles have the potential to achieve the reductions in life cycle emissions needed to meet the Paris Agreement goals.
Life cycle emissions for battery electric vehicles registered today in all four regions are already lower than comparable internal combustion engine cars. In Europe, they are 66% to 69% lower, and in the USA, the difference is 60% to 80%.
China’s grid is still dominated by coal, so the difference is not so stark there. However, even with the dirty black stuff accounting for most of the electricity generation, overall lifetime emissions are still 37% to 45% lower for electric vehicles.

Comparing EVs and Internal Combustion Engine Cars

When comparing EVs and internal combustion engine cars, there are many factors to consider. While EVs have a higher initial cost than traditional cars, they have lower maintenance and operating costs. Additionally, EVs emit no pollutants directly from their tailpipes, which is a significant advantage over traditional cars. However, EVs rely on the electrical grid to charge their batteries, which means their carbon footprint depends on the energy mix used to generate electricity.

The Future of EVs

As governments worldwide seek to reduce carbon emissions, they are providing incentives for the production and purchase of electric vehicles. This approach is already being implemented in some countries, such as Norway, which is now the world leader in electric vehicle adoption. Many automobile manufacturers, such as Volvo and General Motors, have also announced plans to transition entirely to electric vehicles in the coming years.