Critics of electric vehicles (EVs) have long relied on an old argument: EVs are not actually environmental benefits when battery manufacturing and electricity generation are taken into consideration. However, there is a new study by the researchers at the University of Michigan that has conclusively busted that myth. The study demonstrates that EVs are cleaner in all of the counties that are located within the contiguous United States, all forms of vehicle segments, and throughout the car’s lifetime.
Debunking the Persistent Myth
Among the most oft-repeated arguments against the adoption of EVs are skeptics who become accidental environmentalists when they argue about the environmental cost of EV battery manufacturing. They claim that EVs can even be dirtier than gas-powered vehicles when mixed with fossil fuel electricity.
This story is falsified by the University of Michigan study. The researchers performed a cradle-to-grave study, which included the manufacturing, driving, and end-of-life emissions, to show that EVs always outperform internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). Regardless of the area, regardless of the source of power, EVs are less polluted.
Lifetime Emissions: The Full Picture
The analysis was of the lifetime emission of sedans, SUVs, and pickup trucks with an assumption of the average vehicle lifespan of 191,386 miles, 211,197 miles, and 244,179 miles, respectively.
The findings were exceptionally intriguing: battery electric cars (BEVs) travelling 300 miles produce 71-73% fewer greenhouse gases throughout their lifespan in comparison to the same combustion-powered cars. Notably, these advantages are available across all types of vehicles, small sedans and giant pickups.
In the case of cars that run on gas, about 92% of all lifetime emissions consist of the actual operation of the cars. Comparatively, in the case of EVs, approximately 4856 percent of their lifecycle emissions are a result of production, especially of batteries. That is to say, that an EV will offset its production emissions in a short time as soon as it hits the road, and continue to save the environment throughout its service life.
Why Larger EVs Matter Most
Small electric sedans are the most eco-friendly types of vehicles; however, the greatest progress is observed with the electrification of the largest vehicles. In the study, pickup trucks benefit more in absolute terms, despite more energy consumption, from electrification than any other type of vehicle.
This will break one of the myths: that it is more significant to reduce the size of your vehicle than to make it an electric one. The researchers come to the contrary. Substitution of a big gas-powered truck with a big EV has a greater effect in emissions reduction compared to a gas sedan with a smaller one. That is, the largest electric trucks, nevertheless, remain a victory for the climate.
The other common objection to EVs is that they are dirty in areas where coal or natural gas is predominant in charging. Nevertheless, according to the findings made by the University of Michigan team, EVs are superior to gas cars in all the U.S. counties.
This is because power plants, be it coal, natural gas, or renewable, are more efficient in nature than millions of individual combustion engines. Since charging several EVs incurs significantly lower emissions than having the same number of gas cars burn their own fuel, charging many EVs allows us to charge significantly fewer vehicles than gas cars.
The research determined that regional variation makes very little contribution to the comparison. Wherever they are charged, BEVs are always cleaner.
