Electric vehicles (EVs) are a powerful weapon in the world’s battle to beat global warming, yet their impact varies hugely from nation-to-nation and in some places they pollute more than gasoline models, data analysis shows.
In Europe, where sales are rising the fastest in the world, EVs in Poland and Kosovo actually generate more carbon emissions because grids are so coal-reliant, according to the data compiled by research consultancy Radiant Energy Group (REG).
Elsewhere around Europe, however, the picture is better, though the relative carbon savings depend on what supplies grids and the time of day vehicles are charged.
Best performers are nuclear and hydroelectric-powered Switzerland at 100% carbon savings vis-a-vis gasoline vehicles, Norway 98%, France 96%, Sweden 95% and Austria 93%, according to the study shared with Reuters.
Laggards are Cyprus at 4%, Serbia 15%, Estonia 35% and the Netherlands 37%. An EV driver in Europe’s biggest car manufacturer Germany, which relies on a mix of renewables and coal, makes a 55% greenhouse gas saving, the data also showed.
In countries like Germany or Spain with big investment in solar and wind, lack of renewable energy storage means the amount of carbon saved by driving an EV depends heavily on the time of day you recharge.
Charging in the afternoon – when sun and wind are more prevalent – saves 16-18% more carbon than at night when grids are more likely to be fuelled by gas or coal.
The analysis was based on public data from Europe’s transmission system operator transparency platform ENTSO-E and the European Environment Agency (EEA).
It came just ahead of Wednesday’s talks on transport at the United Nations’ COP 26 summit where a group of countries, companies and cities committed to phase out fossil-fuel vehicles by 2040.
The study showed how the auto industry’s ability to reduce emissions depends on finding better ways to decarbonise electricity grids and store renewable energy – challenges many European countries have not yet overcome.
Lithium-ion batteries are only able to store energy at full capacity for up to around four hours, meaning even countries sourcing significant amounts of solar and wind power during the day struggle to keep it on tap for nighttime charging.
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