EVs emit less CO2 than diesel even when powered with “dirtiest electricity”

Electric cars emit less CO2 over their lifetime than diesel, even when powered using the “dirtiest electricity”, a new study has found.

According to analysis of the lifecycle emissions of the vehicles conducted by VUB university in Brussels for NGO Transport & Environment (T&E), electric vehicles will emit even less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as more renewable electricity enters the grid.

The research found that even in countries with the highest GHG intensity of electricity generation – Poland and Germany – the EV performs better on a lifecycle basis (including the emissions in manufacturing the battery and vehicle) than the diesel car.

Using the Polish average, an electric vehicle emits 25 per cent less CO2 over its lifetime, while in Sweden an EV emits 85 per cent less.

Meanwhile, EVs’ sustainability will improve further with battery technology advances and as more batteries are re-used for electricity storage or recycled.

Yoann Le Petit, clean Vehicles and emobility officer at T&E, said: “Today an electric vehicle driving on Polish electricity – the most carbon intensive in the EU – still has a lower impact on the climate than a new diesel car.

“With the rapid decarbonisation of the EU electricity mix, on average electric vehicles will emit half the CO2 emissions of a diesel car by 2030 including the manufacturing emissions.”