Understanding the environmental impact of electric vehicles (EVs), and comparing them with internal-combustion-engine (ICE) cars, requires more than looking at exhaust emissions during a journey. Although an EV emits no CO₂ from a tailpipe while driving, its entire life cycle matters, from manufacturing to end-of-life treatment.
Manufacturing
Building an EV requires energy and resources to extract and process battery materials, as well as to produce its body and other components. The environmental impact depends heavily on the energy sources used, waste-management practices and where the materials come from. Manufacturing therefore remains a resource-intensive stage, and an electric car can begin its life with a larger manufacturing footprint than a comparable combustion vehicle.
Driving and charging
Once on the road, EVs burn no fuel and produce no exhaust gases. This removes tailpipe pollution, rather than every source of pollution associated with a car. Their environmental impact during use depends on how the charging electricity is generated: coal- or gas-based electricity reduces the benefit compared with cleaner generation. Research from independent energy consultancy Rystad Energy, discussed in the original article, pointed to a growing role for renewable electricity worldwide. A cleaner grid can progressively reduce the emissions associated with charging.
Maintenance and repairs
EVs generally need less routine maintenance than combustion cars because they have fewer moving powertrain components and do not require engine-oil changes, spark plugs or engine filters. The environmental footprint of servicing still includes making and disposing of replacement parts and maintenance materials. A simpler drivetrain and efficient operation can reduce that footprint, while tyres, brakes and other components still require attention.
End of life
At the end of their service life, electric vehicles and their batteries need safe treatment and recycling. Lithium-ion battery recycling continues to develop, with particular attention to recovering valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, manganese and nickel. Work is also under way to improve recycling processes and, where suitable, give used batteries a second life in stationary energy storage before recovering their materials for new products.
The whole picture
Life-cycle research, including work discussed by MIT, finds that electric cars can produce substantially lower greenhouse-gas emissions than comparable combustion cars over their lifetime. The scale of that advantage varies with the electricity used in manufacturing and charging, along with the vehicle itself and how much it is driven. EVs are not impact-free, but assessing the complete life cycle gives a more useful comparison than focusing on either the battery factory or the absence of an exhaust pipe alone. Improvements in batteries, recycling and cleaner electricity can strengthen their contribution to reducing oil use and addressing climate change.
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REFERRAL PROGRAM
The referral offer described at publication: €1,000 off a new Tesla. This is a historical offer, subject to the terms applicable at the time.
Planning to buy a Tesla without a friend’s referral code? At publication, readers could use ours. The original article described two ways to apply it:
♦️ First method:
Follow the referral link and complete the normal vehicle-ordering process. If the link does not open, copy it into your browser. Eligibility and benefits depend on the terms available when ordering.
https://www.tesla.com/it_IT/referral/giorgio77387
♦️ Second method:
– Open our profile.
– Tap the link in the bio.
– Select the “Buy a Tesla – €1,000 off” option described at publication.
– Complete your order on Tesla’s website.
✔️ That completed the referral steps described at publication.
The offer described at publication provided €1,000 off an eligible new Tesla; it does not establish today’s benefits.
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Giorgio Rebecchi
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