The basic argument of electric cars is emissions. Purely electric cars produce zero CO2 emissions when driving, while gasoline and diesel-powered cars spew emissions into the atmosphere. However, a new study shows electric cars often hide their dirt.
According to Munich-based automotive consultancy Berylls Strategy Advisors, reported by Bloomberg, electric vehicles aren’t that clean when taking their manufacturing process into account. When a battery plant produces a lithium-ion battery, the process emits up to 74 percent more CO2 if the plant is run on fossil fuels. Obviously, the argument changes drastically if renewable energy powers the production process. But, as it stands, many factories today run on coal and other fossil fuels.
Thus, the average electric car in Germany would take more than 10 years to break even in CO2 emissions with a modern fuel-efficient engine.
The research showed a motorist could drive a gas-guzzling vehicle for three years before or more than 30,000 miles before an electric car like the Nissan Leaf would be a “cleaner” option. And the larger the battery pack, the more emissions produced in the factory. This isn’t to mention that drivers charging electric cars are obtaining electricity from the grid, which often comes from fossil fuels.
In countries where renewable energy is more common, such as Norway, the study showed the effects are the desired ones. Norway’s hydro-electric energy powers nearly the entire grid and electric cars generate nearly 60 percent less CO2 over their life there.
Until manufacturers begin producing batteries in more sustainable ways, electric cars will have a dirty secret—even if their immediate benefits look good on paper.
Comments
Typical FUD.
What a load of Bullsh*t.
PS. brought to you by your ‘friends’ at Exxon
There is a study for everything. Example: Horses would rather eat bananas over carrots.
Here’s another study that concludes that EVs will generate about 50% less greenhouse gases than conventional cars over their lifespan after considering all factors from manufacturing, operating and disposal.
https://blog.ucsusa.org/rachael-nealer/gasoline-vs-electric-global-warming-emissions-953
Diesel Cruze FTW!
74% LESS THAN WHAT?! surely not the same plant that would be producing everything necessary to make an ICE drivetrain… BS indeed! Although I concede that Batteries are only an interim fix till we are allowed to play in the free energy playground.
” till we are allowed to play in the free energy playground.”
Wait, you actually think that free energy exists? Did you learn nothing about the first and second laws of thermodynamics in school?
Have you heard of my friend, Entropy?
Creating the primary source of electricity and making batteries can be a toxic process. In the end, it’s all about marketing and an illusion. Surely, the comforts of life is demanding and will levy a tax on our well being. It appears that the article makes sense for the time being.
The dirty secret is that our government doesn’t like seeing all the US currency used on fueling our way of life flowing to the middle east. Our government can not tax the big oil companies profits as they can our local utilities. The “green car” is just a ruse to get the american public on board.
What would the world look like today if everyone had been driving battery electric cars for the last 100 years?
Acid rain and toxic landfills?
The logic behind this type of argument is that most electricity generated in the United States is through the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, or natural gas) and while an electric car does not emit carbon emissions; the electricity used to recharge the battery of an electric vehicle does generate greenhouse gases from the power plants and the emissions controls for a power plant may not be as efficient as that of a current generation of diesel engine which is why a diesel powered car might be more efficient than an electric vehicle.
Finally, someone who sees and tells it like it is.
Except that he’s completely wrong. Diesel engines are about 25% efficient. Electric motors are 95% efficient. Also the emissions controls on power plants are much, much better than what is available for automotive engines. Basically every part of everything he said here was incorrect, and you were impressed only because you’re as misinformed as he is.
Fuel based steam power plants are only 25% to 35% efficient turning the heat energy into electricity. The electric car batteries are about 90% efficient, and the motors may be up to 90% efficient. Not to mention transmission line losses and the loss converting AC to DC. Diminishing returns. Misinformed? Not likely, I have operated steam driven electricity generating equipment and also know quite a bit about electric motors from work.
The fuel to mechanical conversion effiecienies of a diesel engine vs coal or natural gas turbine power plant are about the same. Plus there is some loss at the grid transmission, AC to DC and battery efficiency. The rest is lost as surplus heat.
Not to mention about manufacturing costs, while ICE vehicles are cheaper to produce with conventional procedures.
If the grid is powered by a good percentage of nuclear and renewables, then EV becomes more sensible.
EV is certainly the right step in the right direction, yet it may be still early for most folks, and may not be suitable for long journeys or far outdoor venturing. A diesel car can easily double highest range EV on the market. And DC charging is not cheap and as convenient as filling up, if you live in a high-rise building without the chance of home charging.