Electric vehicle: really ecological?
The answer to this question depends on several factors. Overall, electric vehicles are considered more environmentally friendly than gasoline or diesel vehicles because they emit fewer local air pollutants when in use.
However, to truly assess their environmental impact, it is important to consider the entire life cycle of a vehicle, from production to end-of-life. The manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries requires rare materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which can be extracted in unsustainable and polluting ways. Additionally, the production of electric power needed to charge electric vehicles can also have negative environmental impacts, depending on how the electricity is generated.
At the end of their life, electric vehicle batteries need to be recycled or disposed of responsibly, which can be costly and require specialized infrastructure.
Despite these challenges, electric vehicles continue to improve in terms of energy efficiency, battery lifespan, and material sustainability. Thus, overall, electric vehicles are considered a more environmentally friendly option compared to gasoline or diesel vehicles, but they are not a silver bullet solution to all environmental problems.
What are the main points of disagreement on the subject?
There are several points of disagreement regarding whether electric vehicles are truly environmentally friendly.
Here are a few: Battery production: Some critics argue that the production of batteries for electric vehicles is energy-intensive and resource-intensive, with a significant environmental impact, particularly due to the extraction of minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
CO2 emissions related to electricity production: Although electric vehicles do not produce exhaust emissions, the electricity used to power them often comes from power plants fueled by fossil fuels. Critics argue that this offsets the environmental benefits of electric vehicles.
Battery lifespan and recycling: Electric vehicle batteries have a limited lifespan and need to be replaced after several years of use. Battery recycling can be costly and requires specialized infrastructure. Critics argue that this poses significant environmental challenges.
The environmental impact of materials used in manufacturing: Critics claim that mineral extraction for battery production, as well as the production of metals for electric motors and other components, can have a significant environmental impact.
What studies bring contradictory figures on the subject ?
A study from MIT published in 2018 showed that electric vehicles powered by lithium batteries have a lower overall carbon footprint than gasoline vehicles, even when taking into account battery production and the energy required to recharge them. However, this study also showed that the carbon footprint of electric vehicles varied considerably depending on the energy source used to recharge them.
However, a study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology in 2019 showed that the carbon footprint of electric vehicles was higher than that of gasoline vehicles in China due to electricity production from coal in the country.
The environmental impact of electric vehicles can vary depending on many factors, including the energy source used to recharge them, battery manufacturing, and local electricity production conditions.
How to make the right choice regarding the electrification of a vehicle fleet?
There is a viable solution to accurately and effectively assess the eligibility of electrifying a vehicle fleet by using technologies that measure and analyze the actual usage of the currently circulating gasoline vehicles in the automotive fleet. This method provides precise results with relevant indicators and abundant quantitative data, such as the number of trips with mileage that is too high for electric vehicles to handle, as well as the number of times users have the vehicle parked and could potentially recharge it, either at the end of the day or during a break.
Furthermore, this method also allows for determining which electric vehicle is the most suitable, considering the variety of models with different ranges and prices. Lastly, it accurately measures the savings that can be achieved through such a transition for these vehicles. Among the available technologies, Ellis-Car’s technology can perfectly meet these needs as it can operate solely with smartphones or simple cigarette lighter plug-in devices.