Study shows EV lifecycle emissions substantially lower than ICE
The argument that EVs are high emitters on a whole-of-life basis seems to have been quashedOn a whole-of-life basis, electric vehicles emit substantially less carbon dioxide than their conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts, according to a new study conducted by a strategic research arm of news service Bloomberg.
The analysis by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) was published earlier this month and found that battery-electric vehicles’ lifecycle emissions can be as much as 70 per cent lower than petrol or diesel vehicles.
BNEF calculated the whole-of-life total CO2 emissions of medium-size ICE and battery-electric vehicles produced in 2023 and driven over a lifespan of 250,000km.
The study factored in the full production process of EV and ICE vehicles including carbon-heavy battery production. It did not, however, factor in the carbon produced in the production and transportation of petroleum-based fuels.
Following that logic, the emissions advantage offered by EVs is potentially even higher.
EVs are heavier carbon emitters at the start of their life. However, according to BNEF, the ‘payback’ period is shorter than previously posited by some sources.
How quickly the early emissions are offset and EVs’ advantages over ICE vehicles depends on how far they are driven, and the cleanliness of the grid where they charge.
BNEF found, however, that even EVs recharged in markets that have a high reliance on coal-fired electricity generation still emit less CO2 than ICE equivalents.
To determine the EV versus ICE breakeven point, BNEF studied the US, Chinese, Germany, UK and Japanese markets. It determined the lifecycle CO2 emissions of a medium-size BEV manufactured in 2023 and driven for 250,000km would be 27-71 per cent lower than those of equivalent ICE vehicles.
In the US, it calculated the breakeven point to be around 41,000km, while ‘dirtier’ Chinese power pushed the convergence to just short of 120,000km.
Given the growth of solar power production globally, BNEF found there were substantial benefits to emissions reduction if cars were charged during the day.
Night-time charging could lead to between 76-259 per cent higher emissions by 2030, depending on the region analysed.
The study, by BNEF’s Corey Cantor, looked at a cross-section of EV subjects from average battery pack sizes by region, battery manufacturing emissions, current and projected electricity-generation emissions, day- and night-time charging trends, and more.
BNEF is a strategic research provider covering global commodity markets and technologies “driving the transition to a low-carbon economy”.
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