Electric vehicles (EVs) are often referred to as "non-polluting" because they don't emit greenhouse gases directly from their tailpipes, unlike internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. However, it's essential to recognize that this claim is only partially accurate.

1. Battery Manufacturing Emissions:

○ EVs do have an environmental impact during their production. Creating large lithium-ion batteries, crucial for EVs, involves mining minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. This process requires fossil fuels and results in emissions.

○ Building an 80 kWh lithium-ion battery (such as the one in a Tesla Model 3) can produce between 2.5 and 16 metric tons of CO₂, depending on the energy source used for heating during manufacturing1.

○ Consequently, manufacturing a new EV can result in around 80% more emissions than building a comparable gas-powered car.

2. Charging Emissions:

○ The primary source of emissions during an EV's lifetime is the energy used to charge its battery.

○ Emissions vary significantly based on where the EV is driven and the energy mix in that region.

○ In countries like Norway (where most energy comes from hydropower), EVs have a minuscule carbon footprint.

○ However, in regions heavily reliant on burning coal for electricity generation, EV emissions may not be as favorable but are still comparable to or better than gasoline vehicles.

3. Comparing Emissions:

○ Studies show that on average:

■ Gasoline cars emit over 350 grams of CO₂ per mile driven over their lifetimes.

■ Hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions emit around 260 grams per mile.

■ Fully battery-electric vehicles emit just 200 grams per mile.

○ Despite the emissions associated with battery production, EVs still create fewer carbon emissions than gasoline cars over their driving lifetimes.

In summary, EVs are not entirely emissions-free, but they remain a lower-emissions option than ICE vehicles. As the energy grid transitions to cleaner sources, the comparative advantage of electric cars will continue to grow.

Source(s)

1. Are electric vehicles definitely better for the climate than gas ...

2. The surprising truth behind the world's electric cars

3. Electric Vehicle Myths | US EPA

4. Electric vehicles reduce carbon pollution, even in coal-dominated state ...

Francesco Barbangelo A good summary of the debate about EVs. There are a few other issues that get in the way of a simple science debate: EVs are predominately being made in China, coal based manufacture that is not counted as the importing country's contribution. The life of EVs (i.e. batteries) seems low, but is not clear. When batteries are damaged in road accidents the cars are being written-off as beyond economic repair. It seems to met that chargeable-hybrids are the best answer, but politically not acceptable in Europe.

Francesco Barbangelo In addition to your nice summary, I would add that EVs don't emit NOx and volatile organics which contribute to local and regional air quality problems such as ozone and fine particulate matter.

The electrical car used either Lithium ion batteries which has higher power density and there is no need for coal. Also the electrical car can used fuel cells which is depends on green Hydrogen for positive electrode and Oxygen from air for negative electrodes. The stack consists of tenths of cells that gives you the final power required. Therefore, there is no need for a coal.

Fakhri Ibraheem Suggest that you tell China, India, Indonesia, USA, Germany etc. your news: they have all increased coal burn to the benefit of their citizens.

Why the objection to using our Creator's endowment of geologically stored natural solar energy to launch our industries and economies and raise poverty stricken poor up into productive lives? Let's use with thankful hearts what we have been given to develop long term sustainable fusion, LENR, and nuclear power.

Anyway, clean energy is the only solution to the climate and environmental issue. You can use the traditional energy like coal and oil if there are economical strategies for the emission control. Ev with batteries or fuel cells provide a feasible alternative to this requirement. this approach has become more and more reasonable as non-traditional energy sources are playing a more major role than ever before. The world has started to be more dependent upon hydro, solar, and unclear fission energy, and even nuclear fusion. I choose to be more forward-looking, according to a reliable source, fuel cell powered vehicles are going to be an industrial reality no later than 2028.