There was a misconception surrounding electronic vehicles, especially over their lifespan, claiming that combustion engine cars last longer than the battery-operated kind. However, a new study has put this argument to rest.
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The novel study claims that throughout the lifetime of an EV vehicle -- from digging up materials to eventually scrapping the car, the whole process will release less greenhouse gas emissions than a gas-powered car.
The study was led by Georg Bieker, a researcher at the nonprofit research group the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).?
In the report, they looked at emissions from medium-sized EVs registered in 2021 in countries like China, India, the US or Europe. They saw that lifetime emissions in Europe are between 66 to 69 percent lower than a petrol vehicle. In the US, EVs produces 60 to 68 percent fewer emissions.?
China that uses more coal to produce electricity saw a range between 37 to 45 percent and India was around 19 to 34 percent.
The study assumed that the vehicle was registered in 2021 and would be active on the road for 18 years. Assuming the four aforementioned regions continue with their announced decarbonisation programs, in 2030 we could see a considerable gap widening in favour of (battery-powered EVs) BEVs. The study is also accounting for more efficient engine tech and better production methods.?
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The study highlights that the gap is predicted to be 74–77 percent in Europe, 62–76 percent in the US, 48–64 percent in China and in India, 30–56 percent.?
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Bieker however warns that there is no future for combustion engines if everyone wants to decarbonise. Even the introduction of biofuels won’t help the internal combustion engines, “Combustion engine vehicles of any kind are not able to deliver the greenhouse gas reductions we need to live with climate change. That’s a global finding, therefore we need globally to phase out combustion engine cars.”