Regardless of the source of electricity, electric vehicles (EVs) produce fewer emissions during their lifetime than fossil fuel-powered vehicles, according to a recent in-depth article on Forbes.com.
Written by James Ellsmoor, cofounder and director of Solar Head of State, an international nonprofit working with governments in the Caribbean and Pacific islands to raise awareness of renewable energy through high-profile solar installations and associated publicity campaigns, the article examines the environmental impact of EV vehicle manufacturing and operation.
The article found that for battery and vehicle manufacturing, infrastructure and efficient manufacturing techniques can reduce emissions during production. For example, if China were to follow American or European production standards, emissions could be reduced by 66 percent.
One of the major differences between EVs and fossil fuel-powered vehicles: EVs produce most of emissions during manufacturing process. This means that over the lifetime of use, an EV produces considerable less emissions than a gas-powered vehicle. Ellsmoor proclaimed the EV the vehicle of the future and said that EVs will likely become more environmentally friendly as technologies develop.
“Electric vehicles are not a panacea but combined with greater deployment of renewables and the decarbonization of the electricity grid they offer a pathway to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Ellsmoor concludes.