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Are Electirc Vehicles Risking Or Saving Our Planet?

The idea that a wholesale switch to electric cars would automatically reduce CO2 emissions and dependence on oil is one ...

Are Electric Vehicles Risking Or Saving Our Planet?

Posted on 13 November 2009 by Scott

The idea that a wholesale switch to electric cars would automatically reduce CO2 emissions and dependence on oil is one of a number of myths dispelled by a major new report.

The report, ‘How to avoid an electric shock: Electric cars from hype to reality’ was conducted by the European lobby group Transport & Environment, an organisation co-founded and supported by the ETA.

The report found that whilst there were significant potential environmental benefits to be had from a switch to electric vehicles, these were wholly dependent on changes in the way electricity was generated, energy taxed and CO2 emissions regulated. Current EU legislation contains loopholes that are likely to lead to emissions and oil use going up.

How could electric cars ‘increase’ emissions?

Binding EU targets for car CO2 emissions include ’super credits’ that enable carmakers to sell up to 3.5 gas-guzzling SUV’s for every electric vehicle they sell and still reach their official EU target. Electric cars are also counted as ‘zero emissions’ despite the fact that the electricity they use can come from high-carbon fossil fuels such as coal.

The combined effect of these loopholes would be that carmakers that choose to market electric cars to meet EU targets would have to do less to reduce emissions of conventional cars. The overall effect would be higher CO2 emissions and oil use.

Director at the Environmental Transport Association (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 benefits.”

CO2 emissions	Binding EU targets for car CO2 emissions agreed last December include ‘super credits’ that enable carmakers to sell up to 3.5 gas-guzzling SUVs for every electric vehicle they sell and still reach their official EU target. Electric cars are also counted as ‘zero emissions’ despite the fact that the electricity they use can come from high-carbon fossil fuels such as coal. The combined effect of these loopholes would be that carmakers that choose to market electric cars to meet EU targets would have to do less to reduce emissions of conventional cars. The overall effect would be higher CO2 emissions and oil use.
Performance	Electric cars powered by wind or solar energy are obviously superior, but if the electricity comes from coal, hybrids perform better
Price	There is potential for improvement in performance and reduction of costs in the medium term, but not enough to suggest electric cars could compete head-on with conventional vehicles within the next two decades
Popularity	Low running costs of electric vehicles would lead to extra demand for car transport and make necessary the taxation of electricity. On-board metering of electricity use would be a key requirement
National Grid	Even if the National Grid has the capacity and the basic infrastructure to meet the needs of electric cars, the new demand patterns they will create may mean greater use of coal and nuclear power

According to the report, the most certain way to promote electric-powered transport is to tighten long-term CO2 standards for cars to 80 g/km by 2020 and 60 g/km by 2025, whilst at the same time increasing fuel taxes. A lack of stringent CO2 standards removes the main incentive for motor industry to invest in electrification. Electric cars must be rewarded for their energy efficiency, not for moving emissions from exhaust pipes to power station chimneys.