World Environment Day 2021: Carbon Footprint Of An Electric Car vs Fossil Fuel Car

Whether you accept it or not, electric is the future. Even if we leave aside the fact that there is zero tailpipe emission from an electric car, EVs still have the ability and scope to offer advanced features and better performance compared to a conventional vehicle. Notice we said zero 'tailpipe' emission and not just zero-emission? Well, that's because while it's true that there are no harmful gases coming out of your electric car, it does not mean that it's not leaving any carbon footprint.

From the production of an EV to the electricity used to charge the vehicle to finally disposal of battery, a lot of energy consumption takes place in all of these processes. Given the fact that a majority of energy generation still happens through non-renewable sources like coal or natural gases, electric vehicles are not really carbon neutral. Then there is the part of the extraction of lithium, cobalt and other metals for making battery cells and other components that are needed to build an electric vehicle. Even factories use vast amounts of energy and often produce huge levels of greenhouse gas emissions.

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Factories use vast amounts of energy and often produce huge levels of greenhouse gas emissions

But aren't electric vehicles supposed to be the answer to achieving the ideal green environment? The solution for bringing down the harmful gases that are currently coming out of a fossil fuel vehicle, powered by petrol or diesel. Well, the answer is more complicated than that. Yes, electric vehicles are not entirely carbon-free, however, it's the amount of carbon footprint left by a vehicle that really counts.

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A post shared by SunFuel (@sunfuelelectric)

Take this above infographic posted by Sun Fuel Electric for example. An average fossil-fuel car emits close to 4900 kg of CO2 (carbon dioxide), 3 kg of NOx (Nitro oxide) and 0.18 kg of PM25 (particulate matter). On the other hand, an average electric car, even when powered by electricity generated by thermal energy, leads to an emission of 18,000 kg CO2, 1 kg NOx, and 0.18 kg PM25. What this essentially tells us that even when powered by the dirtiest source of energy, the carbon footprint left by an electric vehicle is still just a third of what a car powered by petrol or diesel will leave. Studies have shown that even in the worst-case scenarios, an EV emits at least 22 per cent less CO2 than a fossil fuel car, whereas, in the best-case scenarios, it's as much as 80 per cent less.

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Even when powered by the dirtiest source of energy, the carbon footprint left by an electric vehicle is still just a third of what a fossil fuel car makes

So, is there a way to reduce the carbon footprint of an electric vehicle? How, exactly can we achieve that best-case scenario? Well, that would involve achieving carbon neutrality in every aspect of an electric vehicle. The best option right now would be to use energy generated from renewable sources, like solar, wind and hydro among others. However, at the moment, energy generation from renewable sources is quite low, especially in countries like China, Poland and even India, which heavily rely on coal. Having said that, we are working towards that goal. Several manufacturers and organisations have pledged to reduce their reliance on the non-renewable source of energy and achieve carbon neutrality. So the change is coming, it's just that we'll have to wait for it, and do our part.

Electric vehicles do leave a considerable amount of carbon footprint, however, it's much lesser compared to a conventional fossil fuel car

So, in a nutshell, yes electric vehicles do leave a considerable amount of carbon footprint, however, it's much lesser compared to a conventional fossil fuel car, and that's a good trade-off. So, however, small the impact, the move must be made now, taking baby steps towards achieving that zero-carbon emission status. Given the fact that fossil fuel is not going last forever, we don't really have a choice, do we?