The automotive industry is on the verge of a radical transformation. Manufacturers and consumers are just starting to acknowledge the positive social and environmental impact of Electric Vehicles (EVs). The catalyst in this revolutionary change will rely on evaluating how sustainable electric cars will be, both socially and environmentally.
This insight will cover a multitude of factors, including the environmental impact of electric cars, the metrics needed for electric vehicle benchmarking and the essential future innovations.
To guide manufacturers in optimizing vehicle production for sustainability, our Iceberg 3.0 software holds the answer. Offering unparalleled insights, it captures detailed information on every component used in a vehicle, identifying areas for improvement or upgrades.
Understanding the environmental impact of electric cars
The environmental issues within the transportation industry are becoming a more prominent discussion point for the global economy. Governments, companies, and consumers are sourcing innovative ways to help reduce our carbon footprint. Using sustainable electric cars is widely regarded as the key solution to reducing our carbon footprint and combating climate change. The encouraging environmental impact of electric cars relies on some direct and indirect factors listed below:
Energy sources and consumption
During operation, the electric vehicle’s environmental impact will be minimal, but using electricity to charge and manufacture vehicles long-term will result in a higher production of emissions from associated electricity stations. Although this may be a hidden factor for the consumer, manufacturers will need to evaluate whether the source of energy they require is also sustainable.
The consumption of electricity is already increasing on a global scale, which means the supply of it is also increasing. To lower the overall electric vehicle’s environmental impact at a manufacturing level, organizations need to steer away from fossil fuels to a renewable energy type, such as wind or solar. Although the negative to this is a rise in sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions, the positive is that there will be a complete reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
(ref: https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/electric-vehicles-and-the-energy/download)
The environmental impact of the electric car’s battery
The electric vehicle’s environmental impact is dependent on how the materials for the batteries are sourced. The safest alternative for most EV batteries are the ones made from Lithium-ion (Li-ion). They also contain nickel, cobalt and aluminium. Although safety is a major concern, mining these batteries can be energy-intensive and have huge implications on ecological, social and environmental factors.
The lifecycle of an EV battery is approximately ten to twenty years. As technology improves and energy density increases, it will be crucial for vehicle manufacturers to innovate with more than just their batteries. In combination with the 48-volt system seen in most electric vehicles today, companies will not only be able to enhance their vehicle’s driving performance but also lower their energy consumption by reusing any wasted energy that the traditional internal combustion engines couldn’t.
(ref: https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-1003a-battery-aging-in-an-electric-vehicle-ev)
For more information on the 48-volt system, please read our article: The Evolution of 48-Volt Architecture in Electric Vehicles
EV environmental impact analysis
Comparing EV sustainability to gasoline or petroleum-based vehicles requires deeper analysis. Emissions can be produced for both types of vehicles in multiple ways, from production to operation, all the way through to end-of-life disposal.
Ref: https://theicct.org/sites/default/files/publications/EV-life-cycle-GHG_ICCT-Briefing_09022018_vF.pdf
The above image shows the environmental impact of electric cars vs traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. EVs generally have a higher emissions rate when manufacturing a vehicle due to the battery production process. However, this is offset by lower operational emissions, such as the removal of the tailpipe in electric cars.
Over time we expect, as nations source more efficient renewable energy types to power their grids, that EVs will drastically decrease their total emissions at a manufacturing level than those EVs created today in 2024.
Electric vehicle benchmarking
Benchmarking EV sustainability comprises of setting clear metrics and standards that involve the entire lifecycle of a vehicle. The primary focuses for this should be:
1. Life cycle assessment (LCA)
When benchmarking the sustainability quotient of EVs, a comprehensive life cycle assessment is essential. This covers everything from raw material extraction to recycling and disposal. The entire assessment will identify areas for improvement, therefore enhancing the overall benefits of sustainable electric cars.
2. EV environmental impact analysis
Another critical component when benchmarking EV sustainability is measuring the carbon footprint of the greenhouse gases produced by the vehicle. Using the standards set out by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, we can measure and compare the consistency in EVs to gas or petrol-based vehicles throughout their lifecycle.
(ref: https://ghgprotocol.org)
3. Resourcing efficiency and recycling
Recycling batteries and other materials is a crucial aspect of making EVs more sustainable. Efforts to include green metrics for electric vehicles are important, especially regarding their resource efficiency. Benchmarking the amount of raw material required per hour of battery capacity would help us understand its effectiveness. Simultaneously, it’s important to consider the amount of renewable energy used in manufacturing these batteries (as mentioned above in the section titled The environmental impact of the electric car’s battery).
The same applies to the recycling process. By acknowledging ways of minimizing wastage when reusing components or materials, then manufacturers can gradually reduce the electric vehicles environmental impact.
Driving forward: Our thoughts on improving the future
As steps are taken to improve the sustainability quotient of EVs, manufacturers and other organizations are innovating faster than ever before to stay ahead of the game.
Advancements in battery technology
Research and development are crucial to improving battery technology. Solid-state, lithium batteries have already helped lower the environmental impact of electric cars because of their safety, efficiency and performance rating, but the demand for them is increasing. A vast amount of other technological products, such as mobile phones and laptops, also use this technology so the resource is shared.
Renewable energy integration
Organizations will need to source their materials more effectively, maximizing the use of renewable energy over the previously more harmful environmental practices. Policymakers worldwide should incentivize and encourage renewable energy practices to further reduce carbon emissions and therefore promote green energy metrics for electric vehicles.
Consumer awareness and education
As well as providing expertise on the breakdown and analysis of car components, we believe in promoting the benefits of creating sustainable electric cars and the positive environmental impact of electric cars. By providing transparent information to manufacturers and other vehicle organizations regarding the emission levels produced by EVs, we can empower the market and consumers to make informed decisions.
Concluding thoughts on benchmarking EV sustainability
The evidence supporting EV sustainability compared to the current internal combustion engines is compelling. Manufacturers now recognize the positive environmental impact of electric cars which has driven countries worldwide to push for zero-emission vehicles by 2050. But will we reach that target?
By spotlighting the positive use of renewable energies and adopting a comprehensive approach that includes electric vehicle sustainability metrics and environmental impact analysis, organizations can pinpoint key factors affecting the environmental impact of electric cars. This brings us closer to achieving our sustainability targets.
Manufacturers and policymakers alike should ensure the transition to sustainable electric cars is not only a leap forward in automotive technology but a significant win for environmental protection.
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