Electric Cars: How Environmentally Friendly Are They?

When it comes to the CO2 emissions of electric vehicles (EVs), the world seems to be divided between those who label them as "zero emissions" and those who say "very low emissions," with some delving into the debate about the entire lifecycle of a car. So, how does it work? And how do gasoline cars compare in terms of emissions to Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)?

A study titled "Le variabili emissive dell’auto elettrica: ricarica, utilizzo e stili di guida" (Emission Variables of Electric Cars: Charging, Usage, and Driving Styles), conducted by the Caracciolo Foundation (ACI Research Center) and the Care – Center for Automotive Research and Evolution of the University of Guglielmo Marconi, helps us understand the numerical impact of electric vehicles on the environment, considering the entire lifecycle.

The Life Cycle Assessment takes into account real driving cycles in the national territory for specific user types, ranging from a business manager with a home equipped with a photovoltaic system to a family charging at public charging stations.

This allows us to assess the carbon footprint of electric cars in our ecosystem. This, referred to as "carbon footprint," is the unit of measurement for humanity's demand for natural resources. This parameter is useful for estimating the gas emissions caused by our organizations, events, products, and services on nature. It is expressed in tons of CO2 and is used to determine the environmental impacts that emissions have on human-induced climate change. Addressing issues in the data allows intervention to adapt the environment to our needs and improve the quality of life.

What produces CO2 in an electric car? Among the major CO2-producing factors in electric cars, in addition to the extraction of materials for battery construction, is the energy mix used for the construction and assembly of the vehicle. Regarding charging, whether it is domestic or public, at low or high power, the impact is relatively small because the average efficiencies of different charging systems are very similar to each other.

In general, electric vehicles, throughout their entire lifecycle, from production to disposal, can produce emissions ranging from a minimum of 5.5 g/km, very close to zero, to a maximum of 155 g/km for an electric Smart. Meanwhile, in the case of a Tesla Model 3, it ranges from a minimum of 10.1 g/km to a maximum of 263.8 g/km.

For gasoline cars, a post-pandemic carbon footprint database has not yet been compiled, probably also due to the industrial push for electric vehicles. However, a study by the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), an agency of the UK Ministry of Transport, released research outlining the footprint in various driving cycles, urban and extra-urban. On average, a gasoline car can produce from a minimum of 84 g/km to a maximum of 380 g/km.

The challenge to reduce emissions is a longstanding issue that has plagued humanity. Every small daily action we take produces CO2 emissions, and reducing them is one of the main goals of today's industry, combating the persistent issue of the greenhouse effect and the abnormal temperature fluctuations we are experiencing in recent years.

There are many websites on the internet that calculate the carbon footprint of various actions, from the smallest to the most significant, giving a rough idea of how even brushing your teeth can generate carbon dioxide. Edilfar Rent has a fleet of electric, hybrid, and plug-in cars that allow you to plan your journey while enjoying all the benefits of electric driving in cities. Visit our website to see the tailor-made offer for you.