Electric cars lose the green sheen
More CO2 used to make them than fuel models
THE manufacturing of electric vehicles generates 63% more carbon dioxide than with petrol or diesel models, research has found.
It means some zeroemission vehicles have to be driven f or almost 80,000km before they are as ‘green’ as cars powered by fossil fuels.
The revelations threaten to undermine plans by both the Irish and British governments to achieve net-zero emissions by banning sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030.
And they suggest the ‘green’ transport revolution could dramatically increase emissions as electric vehicle production ramps up ahead of the switch.
The report, commissioned by Honda, Aston Martin, Bosch and McLaren, found the production of an allelectric Polestar 2 generates 24 tonnes of carbon dioxide – compared to 14 tonnes for a petrol-engine Volvo XC40.
The report says: ‘ You would have to drive 48,700 miles [78,375km] in a Polestar 2 before its carbon footprint becomes smaller than a Volvo XC40. Similar results have been shown by studies conducted by Volkswagen comparing the eGolf against the diesel Golf.’
The study’s authors say the results prove electric vehicles are ‘no silver bullet’ in helping the achieve net zero emissions by 2050. They suggest politicians should instead focus on reducing emissions i n the vehicle production process.
Though supportive of a green switch, auto bosses fear the 2030 date is overly ambitious at a time when electric vehicles account for a small percentage of cars on our roads.