A new study by German research tank ifo is putting a damper on the eco-friendliness of electric vehicles (EVs). The research is uncovering that these cars may create critical CO2 emissions both in their battery production and their charging.
Higher CO2 emissions than diesel cars
“Considering Germany’s current energy mix and the amount of energy used in battery production, the CO2 emissions of battery-electric vehicles are, in the best case, slightly higher than those of a diesel engine, and are otherwise much higher,” says the think tank’s release.
The study, for instance, estimates that driving a Tesla Model 3 in Germany is in responsible of 156 to 181 grams of CO2 for each kilometer. That is in excess of a diesel-controlled Mercedes C220d which produces just 141 grams per kilometer.
The study is additionally exceedingly reproachful of EU enactment around electric vehicles. For starters, argue the authors, the cars ought not be considered as “zero” CO2 discharges vehicles.
Not exclusively are there CO2 emissions created in the generation of electric vehicles, moreover practically all EU nations produce noteworthy CO2 emissions from charging the vehicles’ batteries utilizing their national energy production mixes.
Other technologies ignored
The authors argue that different technologies, for example, hydrogen-powered electric vehicles or vehicles with combustion engines powered by green methane, offer better options and are overlooked to the expense of EVs.
“Methane technology is ideal for the transition from natural gas vehicles with conventional engines to engines that will one day run on methane from CO2-free energy sources. This being the case, the German federal government should treat all technologies equally and promote hydrogen and methane solutions as well,” says Hans-Werner Sinn, former ifo president, and professor emeritus at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
This isn’t the first study critical of EVs to leave Germany. German car consultancy Berylls Strategy Advisors issued a comparative cautioning last October saying EVs are not the environmental heroes they are touted to be.
“From well to wheel, they do not really improve the situation. After all, electricity generation – including for electric cars – is still strongly dependent on fossil fuels in many EU countries. The climate does not care whether carbon dioxide comes from the exhaust pipe or whether it is released when lignite is burned to generate electricity or in energy-intensive battery production,” said Dr. Jan Burgard, managing partner at Berylls in a LinkedIn statement.
Germany is the third largest producer of electric cars after the US and China which are respectively the second and first producers worldwide.
