Question
Are electric vehicles worse for the environment when looking at their full lifecycle?
Answer
No.
Explanation
A German analysis comparing a Mercedes-Benz C 220 d to a Tesla Model 3 concluded that with these vehicles and the German energy production mix, the Tesla (full electric) had higher CO2 emissions than the Mercedes (combustion engine) when their full lifecycle is considered.
The methodology of this analysis has been widely criticised. Notable objections are that fuel production and distribution were not considered for the conventional car, that the assumptions regarding battery waste and energy grid use are overstated, that the Tesla emissions figures are incorrect, that the emission levels were measured with an outdated inaccurate test, and that the chosen vehicles are not equivalent.
When we do use roughly equivalent vehicles and compare their full lifecycle, the environmental impact of Full Electric Vehicles (FEV) to cars with only Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) can be compared as follows.
| Model | Type | Power | NGC rating* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | FEV | 225 - 360 kW | 22-23 |
| Audi e-Tron | ICE | 230 to 370 kW | 34-39 |
| Nissan Leaf | FEV | 110 - 160 kW | 21-23 |
| Toyota RAV4 | ICE | 129 to 163 kW | 40-45 |
| Renault Zoe | FEV | 79 to 100 kW | 23-25 |
| Renault Clio | ICE | 67 to 103 kW | 33-40 |
*The NGC Rating expresses a vehicle's environmental impact as a score ranging from 0 for the greenest vehicles to 100+ for the most polluting. Environmental impact is assessed over a model's whole life cycle including fuel production and vehicle manufacture – not just from the exhaust or 'tailpipe'.
In conclusion, electric vehicles are cleaner even when considering 'the long tailpipe' and will become more so in the future as energy production and battery reuse become more sustainable.
Sources
Next Green Car, 'Overview of NGC Rating', https://www.nextgreencar.com/emissions/ngc-rating/, accessed 24 November 2020
Buchal, C., H-D. Karl, H-W. Sinn, Kohlemotoren, Windmotoren und Dieselmotoren: Was zeigt die CO2-Bilanz?, (ifo Schnelldienst, Jahrgang 25, April 2019)
Charged EVs, Here we go again: German research institute claims diesels are cleaner than EVs, 25 April 2019, https://chargedevs.com/newswire/here-we-go-again-german-research-institute-claims-diesels-are-cleaner-than-evs/, accessed 24 November 2020
Forbes, Are Electric Vehicles Really Better For The Environment?, 20 May 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesellsmoor/2019/05/20/are-electric-vehicles-really-better-for-the-environment/, accessed 24 November 2020
InsideEVs, Respected German Research Firm Shows Diesels Are Cleaner Than EVs, 1 May 2019, Respected German Research Firm Shows Diesels Are Cleaner Than EVs (insideevs.com), accessed 24 November 2020
The International Council on Clean Transportation, 'Effects of battery manufacturing on electric vehicle life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions', 9 February 2018, https://theicct.org/publications/EV-battery-manufacturing-emissions, accessed 24 November 2020