Is Going Electric Really Driving Us Green?

Fuel Injection System

Fuel Tank

Powered by gas

Traction Battery Pack

Powered by electricity

Power Electronics Controller

Electric Traction Motor

Internal Combustion Module

A typical passenger vehicle emits

4.6 metric tons of CO2 per year *

Zero CO2 emissions **

By Allen Huang

On July 3, 1885, a mechanic named Karl Benz unveiled the world’s first gas-powered automobile to the public in Mannheim, Germany. This groundbreaking invention would go on to revolutionize transportation, society and our entire world in ways unimaginable at the time.

Not least of all contributing to climate change, it is estimated that transportation contributes 27% of Greenhouse Gasses (GHG) emissions globally but that cars alone account for a staggering 75% of carbon monoxide emissions in the US.

However, 139 years later, as we grapple with the urgent climate crisis largely fueled by the very same internal combustion engines that once promised liberation and progress, the story of the car is evolving yet again.

Today, electric vehicles (EVs) are emerging as a crucial element in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and our dependence on fossil fuels. Governments and automakers worldwide are setting ambitious targets to transition to all-electric models, aiming to mitigate the environmental impact of transportation. It’s perhaps ironic that in this very moment, as we reflect on the transformative impact of Benz’s invention, we find ourselves at another pivotal juncture in automotive history.

EV vs GAS

Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining momentum as a crucial strategy to replace gasoline cars and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The International Energy Agency’s Global EV Outlook 2024 report predicts that by 2024, EVs will constitute over one-fifth of the 17 million cars sold globally, and by 2035, they will represent half of all sales, potentially cutting oil demand by up to 10 million barrels per day, similar to current U.S. road transportation usage.

Governments and automakers worldwide, including industry giants like General Motors and Volvo, are setting ambitious goals to transition to all-electric models by as early as 2030. This shift aims to decrease reliance on oil and address climate change concerns.

According to the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center, AFDC, EVs contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution of conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), two of the largest factors in worsening climate and increased carbon footprint.

A 2022 research paper found that fully electric cars have a higher energy efficiency compared to ICEVs, including vehicle production, throughout the use phase, and end-of-life disposal, concluding that despite higher emissions from their battery production, the total greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle of EVs still remain lower than those of comparable models of ICEVs, including Pickups, SUVs and Sedans. For example, while a gas-powered SUV emits 435-485 grams of greenhouse gasses per mile, a fully electric SUV only emits 199-209 grams.

The AFDC also pointed out that while electric vehicles (EVs) typically have higher initial purchase prices compared to conventional vehicles, their overall energy costs are lower, and these costs are expected to align more closely with conventional vehicles as production scales up and battery technologies improve. This phenomenon is already going into effect: EV tprices in February 2024 were 12.8% lower compared to February 2023, showing a significant year-over-year decline. In January 2024, the year-over-year decline was 11.6%, compared to January 2023, indicating that the rate of price decrease is accelerating.

However, there are other factors we should consider when determining the green merits of electric cars including the sources of the electricity needed to power them, their current dependence on lithium-ion batteries and their acceleration of tire wear, could all be points of concerns.

THE ELECTRIC POWER ISSUE

The carbon emissions of electric vehicles depend on the electricity used for charging. Regions that use low-emission or renewable energy make electric vehicles much cleaner over their lifetime compared to regions that rely on fossil fuels, especially coal.

However, according to research, the construction of clean electrical grids and the strategic replacement of coal electric plants in the United States has made the carbon emission of electricity still lower than that of gasoline cars.

This is largely due to the cleaner electricity mix and improved efficiency of electric engines over internal combustion engines. The adoption of renewable energy technologies in the power grid has contributed to lower carbon emissions in the electricity sector. This clean energy transition is integral to the environmental benefits of EVs.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)’s website carboncounter.com — which provides interactive analysis on different types of vehicles classified by their class, powertrain, drive type and horsepower — can provide a straightforward outlook for the potential climate impact of different vehicles. To compare two similar cars based on data, the Audi Q4 e-tron (an electric SUV) and the Land Rover Evoque (a gasoline SUV), both have similar purchase, maintenance costs, and greenhouse gas emissions during production.

However, the Evoque costs $170 per month for fuel, while the e-tron costs $41 per month. Additionally, the e-tron produces 156 grams of carbon dioxide per mile, compared to the Evoque’s 382 grams per mile.

Even with issues surrounding just how green the electricity is that we use to power our EVs, according to the MIT website, the vast majority of fully electric vehicles do have an emission standard below the 2030 emissions target. That’s the good news. Here’s the bad news.

LITHIUM BATTERIES

Lithium-ion batteries are used in nearly all EV as the predominant means of storing energy. Here’s how they work in electric cars: EV batteries operate on the principle of moving lithium ions and electrons through different parts of the battery to generate power. During charging, lithium ions move from the cathode to the anode across an electrolyte medium, while electrons travel via an external circuit to the anode, storing energy in the process. When the EV is driven, this process reverses: lithium ions flow back to the cathode from the anode, releasing stored energy as electricity that powers the vehicle’s motor.

The production procedure of lithium-ion batteries, which are sourced from non-renewable raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, manganese, and nickel, is known for being water and carbon-intensive. Additionally, the manufacturing process generates toxic chemical byproducts, further contributing to the environmental concerns surrounding these batteries. Recycling lithium batteries remains challenging, and the EPA has reported the recurrence of fires caused by lithium batteries as more challenging to extinguish.

The other issue with lithium is that it is a finite element and mining it has led to environmental degradation. Lithium extraction, particularly in the lithium triangle (Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile), involves pumping large amounts of water from natural aquifers, which is crucial for local communities and ecosystems, and holding it in evaporation ponds, significantly reducing the volume of water returned to the environment and leading to water scarcity. The chemicals used in processing lithium from these brines, such as hydrochloric acid, can leak into the water supply or soil, contaminating local water sources and agricultural land, affecting both human populations and wildlife.

Lithium mining and processing can also disrupt local ecosystems through the creation of evaporation ponds and mining infrastructure on natural habitats, the release of toxic chemicals harmful to wildlife, the generation of dust and pollutants affecting air quality, and soil contamination impacting plant life and overall ecosystem health.

THE UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCE OF EVs – TIRE WEAR & TEAR

The wear from vehicles poses a significant environmental problem, and this issue is exacerbated by electric vehicles (EVs). Due to the typically heavier weight and higher torque of EVs, tire wear can increase by up to 26%, according to testing results from Emissions Analytics, further contributing to the environmental impact of tire particulate matter. This in turn increases the shedding and dispersion of microplastics from the tires and these harmful plastic particles are then inhaled and ingested via water, soil and air by all of us and other animals. How does this happen?

As tires degrade, the emitted rubber, metals, and compounds accumulate along roadways, subsequently washed into waterways by rain, while finer particles remain airborne, contributing to worsening air quality. The health risks associated with the release of these toxic particulates is making global headlines and was the focus of the EARTHDAY.ORG Report – Babies Vs. Plastics.

This particulate pollution also includes a concerning chemical, known as 6PPD, which is used in tires to prevent rubber degradation. When dispersed to the atmosphere, 6PPD reacts with ozone and oxygen to form transformation products like 6PPD quinone (6PPDQ) on tire surfaces and in tire and road wear particles, which has been linked to acute mortality in aquatic life, affecting their migration and spawning processes, in a phenomenon known as “urban runoff mortality syndrome.”

6PPDQ is persistent and highly mobile in the environment, being detected in various matrices including water, soil, and air, which is concerning due to its stability and ability to travel far from its original source, potentially impacting areas not immediately adjacent to roadways or urban centers. There is growing concern about the potential health impacts of 6PPDQ on humans due to its ubiquity in urban environments, with exposure possible through inhalation of particulate matter, direct contact with contaminated water, or through the food chain, although specific health effects are still under investigation.

DO EV’s STILL WIN THE CAR WARS?

As we reflect on the 139 years since Karl Benz unveiled the first gas-powered car, it’s clear that his groundbreaking invention set in motion a chain of events that have had profound impacts on our world. The story of the automobile is one of unintended consequences and unexpected twists.

Now, as we stand at the precipice of another seismic major shift in the shape of electric vehicles, it is tempting to view this transition as the end of the story – a neat resolution to the environmental challenges wrought by the internal combustion engine. However, as we’ve seen, the reality is far more complex. While EVs undoubtedly offer significant benefits in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels, they also present their own set of challenges and considerations. From the environmental impact of lithium mining to the increased tire wear contributing to microplastic pollution, the road ahead is not without its obstacles.

Just as Benz could never have predicted the full scope of the impact his invention would have, we too must recognize that the story of the car is far from over. The rise of EVs, while a crucial step forward, is unlikely to be the final chapter in our quest for sustainable transportation. In July 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the testing of new flying vehicles, signaling yet another potential transformation in the way we move.

While the prospect of reducing ground traffic congestion and cutting travel times is exciting, it’s essential to consider the potential environmental impact of these new aircraft, including their energy consumption, noise pollution, and the infrastructure required to support their operation. The introduction of flying vehicles into the equation adds a new layer of complexity to the already multifaceted challenge of creating a sustainable transportation future.

* https://www.epa.gov/

** https://afdc.energy.gov/

Tags: explainer, sustainability

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