Are EVs Risking or Saving the Planet?

A new report states that EVs could potentially speed climate change rather than reduce it

By Jeff Salton

"Electric cars should be rewarded for their energy efficiency, not for moving emissions from exhaust pipes to powerstation chimneys" says the UK's Environmental Transport Association (ETA). In a report titled "How to avoid an electric shock—Electric cars: from hype to reality", the ETA has taken a close look at electric-powered vehicles (EVs) and their associated technologies. In what could be a shock to some commuters—and governments—the report states that EVs could potentially speed climate change, rather than reduce it, and might not be as good for the planet as some of the spin suggests. Simply put, it's not necessarily the cars themselves that will cause the damage, but the way the electricity is generated to power them and how often we drive them. For instance, EVs powered by "green energy"—wind or solar—are obviously superior, but if the electricity comes from coal, hybrids perform better.

Director at the ETA, Andrew Davis, said: "Whilst the report is not intended to dampen enthusiasm for electric vehicles, their introduction should not be viewed as a panacea; significant changes to the way we produce and tax power are needed before we will reap any benefits."

Visitors to recent motor shows, including the massive Frankfurt Motor Show in September would have been convinced that the motoring world is heading toward EV domination. As the report says, virtually every major manufacturer has exhibited a car powered by batteries.

Governments around the world, especially China, the U.S. and France, have so far been very vocal about their increased spending (approx. US$15 billion) in the next five years in tax incentives, levies, subsidies and consumer bonuses, recharging infrastructure, etc., to encourage car companies to develop electric cars.

The report points out that in September, the president of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso, said that "decarbonizing...the transport sector...as well as the development of clean and electric cars" would be key priorities for the next five years. Transport in the European Union (EU) consumes two thirds of the oil used and causes 28 percent of the emissions.

While governments and consumers pressure manufacturers to reduce their carbon footprints, greenhouse gas emissions from transport are projected to grow in the future. The report's authors say that decarbonization of transport will be essential if the world is to have a hope of keeping global warming below 2°C.

The world has acknowledged that a truly sustainable transport system cannot rely on oil and therefore must move towards more sustainable energy sources.

The reports argues that current biofuels policy is creating more problems than it solves, and the oil extraction business is increasingly moving towards highly damaging sources such as tar sands and oil shale.

Aim of the report

Therefore, it's no wonder that electrically-powered transport seems the only ecologically-sound system most likely to deliver the greatest carbon cuts.

The authors of the report state its goal is not to take sides for or against EVs, but to ask the question: what role can electric cars play in the decarbonization of transport?

And while the report states its finding are not definitive, due to a lack of good data to research, the ETA says it is an attempt to look behind the hype, and to bring the available scientific evidence to the attention of policymakers and the public.

The report doesn't cover national policies or the many measures that will be needed to cut transport emissions and other negative impacts by the degree necessary. For example, road pricing, taxation policies and traffic management, are not discussed in its findings, but it admits these will all be necessary for a serious attempt at getting transport emissions under control.

Business Exchange

Track and share business topics across the Web.