How green are electric cars? | It's Complicated

Summary

The global shift to electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030 is predicted to reduce tailpipe emissions, but the manufacturing process raises environmental and humanitarian concerns. EV production involves higher carbon emissions due to mining rare metals like cobalt and lithium, and the power grid's cleanliness affects their overall carbon footprint. While EVs are a step towards sustainability, they're not a complete solution. The script advocates for greener public transport, active travel, and car-sharing to truly reduce emissions.

Takeaways

• 🚗 By 2030, it's predicted there will be 145 million electric vehicles (EVs) on the road, which will be emission-free at the tailpipe.
• 🔋 Despite being emission-free at the tailpipe, EVs have a higher carbon footprint in manufacturing, largely due to the production of batteries requiring rare metals like cobalt and lithium.
• ⚙️ Electric vehicles have only 20 moving parts compared to 2,000 in petrol or diesel cars, which is beneficial for reliability and efficiency but doesn't fully account for the environmental impact of production.
• 🌍 The manufacturing process of EVs involves significant carbon emissions from mining and refining rare metals, with up to 60% more carbon emissions compared to traditional vehicles.
• 💧 For every tonne of lithium extracted, between 5 to 15 tonnes of carbon is produced, highlighting the environmental cost of battery production.
• 🌐 The global supply chain for EV battery materials often involves long carbon journeys, with raw materials being shipped to China for refining and then distributed worldwide.
• 💧 Billions of litres of water are lost from ecosystems during lithium refining, and there are serious human rights concerns, such as child labor in cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• 🌬️ EVs produce more airborne particles from brake and tyre wear due to their heavier weight, contributing to air pollution.
• 🔌 The environmental impact of EVs is also tied to the source of the electricity used to charge them; in regions with cleaner grids, EVs have a lower carbon footprint.
• 🚌 To truly reduce emissions, there needs to be a shift towards greener public transport systems, car sharing, and active travel, rather than solely relying on personal EVs.

Q & A

What is the predicted number of electric vehicles on the road by 2030?

The prediction is that there will be 145 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030.

How does the number of moving parts in an electric vehicle compare to a petrol or diesel vehicle?

An electric vehicle's engine, powered by a battery, has only 20 moving parts, compared to 2,000 in a petrol or diesel vehicle.

What percentage of additional carbon emissions is estimated to be involved in the manufacturing of an electric vehicle compared to a petrol or diesel-powered one?

It is estimated that up to 60% more carbon is emitted into the atmosphere during the manufacturing of an electric vehicle than a petrol or diesel-powered one.

What are the main sources of carbon emissions during the production of electric vehicle batteries?

A significant amount of carbon emissions during the production of electric vehicle batteries come from the mining and refining of rare metals like cobalt and lithium, which are needed for batteries.

How much carbon is created for every tonne of extracted lithium?

Between 5 and 15 tonnes of carbon is created for every tonne of extracted lithium.

Why does the manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles involve long carbon journeys?

The manufacturing of batteries involves long carbon journeys because raw materials are often shipped around the world, typically to China for refining, and then shipped back to be put into cars.

What are some of the environmental, human rights, and geopolitical concerns associated with the production of electric vehicles?

Some concerns include the loss of billions of litres of water from ecosystems during lithium refining, child labor issues in cobalt mining in the DRC, and the production of more airborne particles from brake and tire wear due to the heavier weight of EVs.

How does the source of electricity used to charge electric vehicles affect their carbon emissions?

The carbon emissions of electric vehicles are affected by the source of the electricity used to charge them. For example, in Norway, where electricity is mostly from hydroelectric power, EVs contribute much lower levels of CO2 compared to areas where electricity is generated from coal-fired power stations.

What is the comparison of carbon dioxide emissions between a petrol-powered car and an EV over 90,000 miles when the EV is charged with electricity from natural gas?

A study found that over 90,000 miles, a petrol-powered car creates only 24% more carbon dioxide than a similar-sized EV charged with electricity from natural gas.

What is the importance of clean electricity in achieving net-zero carbon emissions from electric vehicles?

Clean electricity is crucial for electric vehicles to deliver net-zero carbon emissions. Without it, EVs may not achieve the desired reduction in carbon emissions.

What alternatives to personal car ownership are suggested to reduce emissions?

To reduce emissions, alternatives such as integrated public transport systems, cycling, walking, car-sharing schemes, and reducing the number of car journeys are suggested.