Electric Vehicles Overtake Gasoline Cars in Carbon Footprint

The Federal Environment Agency recently published a study that gives electric cars a significantly more positive climate report card than their internal combustion engine counterparts. The report presents a comprehensive picture that includes phased impacts – from production to disposal – as well as greenhouse effects during the use phase. This multidimensional approach confirms the more advantageous nature of electrically powered vehicles. Although the production of electric vehicles does lead to environmental impacts due to the energy required and the mining of critical raw materials such as cobalt, nickel, and rare earths, the emission advantages over their lifespan are increased when power from renewable energy sources grows. Researchers from the IFEU Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg, working on behalf of the Federal Environment Agency, focused not only on greenhouse gas emissions but also examined the overall environmental impact of the vehicles. This included the demand for energy and water, as well as the emission of pollutants into air, water, and soil. For vehicles registered in 2020, the study shows that electric cars can be about 40 percent more climate-friendly than gasoline vehicles, and by 2030, this figure could even increase to 55 percent given the expansion of renewable energies. It is noteworthy that electric vehicles will still retain advantages when the share of e-fuels produced with renewable energies rises in the coming years. However, challenges such as the increased demand for critical raw materials also exist. Attention is drawn to recycling and the new EU Battery Regulation as long-term solutions to ensure a more responsible approach to these materials. The UBA sees the vehicle tax linked to CO2 as a possible instrument to further promote electromobility and effectively compensate for the discontinued purchase premium. The focus on avoiding mobility, shifting to more environmentally friendly alternatives, and general improvements in mobility remains crucial to conserve resources and reduce environmental impact.