I went through every phase of loving, hating and tolerating electric cars. Afaik, the process of making one is not the most environmentally friendly. Lithium mining is incredibly horrible for the environment. On top of that. In an area where the primary energy production is through coal, electric cars are generally worse than gas because of the energy production (and loss) charging electric vehicles.
With that being said. Electric cars can offset their carbon cost, assuming they exist within an area with mixed energy production (non-renewable and renewable), and owners take good care of their vehicles. In those scenarios 2-3 years will be enough to offset the cost.
This is often repeated and very damaging misinformation. An EV powered purely by coal is significantly better for the environment than an ICE car over its lifetime. This is because coal fired power plants are more efficient than internal combustion engines due to economies of scale, even after taking into account transmission losses.
Oh today I learned, TBH my information was probably out of date. But this is good to know. Definitely a step in the right direction even if more diversified public transportation options are better
It’s more so outdated parroting than deliberate misinformation. A lot of the times I see people trying to back this one up, it’s with Hawkins et al.'s Comparative environmental life cycle assessment of conventional and electric vehicles paper. A 2012 study that analyzes emissions based on manufacturing and energy production capabilities of the time doesn’t hold up well over a decade later.
You would think that would be obvious, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I went through every phase of loving, hating and tolerating electric cars. Afaik, the process of making one is not the most environmentally friendly. Lithium mining is incredibly horrible for the environment. On top of that. In an area where the primary energy production is through coal, electric cars are generally worse than gas because of the energy production (and loss) charging electric vehicles.
With that being said. Electric cars can offset their carbon cost, assuming they exist within an area with mixed energy production (non-renewable and renewable), and owners take good care of their vehicles. In those scenarios 2-3 years will be enough to offset the cost.
This is often repeated and very damaging misinformation. An EV powered purely by coal is significantly better for the environment than an ICE car over its lifetime. This is because coal fired power plants are more efficient than internal combustion engines due to economies of scale, even after taking into account transmission losses.
https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/when-do-electric-vehicles-become-cleaner-than-gasoline-cars-2021-06-29/#:~:text=Even in the worst case,grams%2C the Reuters analysis showed.
Oh today I learned, TBH my information was probably out of date. But this is good to know. Definitely a step in the right direction even if more diversified public transportation options are better
It’s more so outdated parroting than deliberate misinformation. A lot of the times I see people trying to back this one up, it’s with Hawkins et al.'s Comparative environmental life cycle assessment of conventional and electric vehicles paper. A 2012 study that analyzes emissions based on manufacturing and energy production capabilities of the time doesn’t hold up well over a decade later.
You would think that would be obvious, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Most coal has shifted to natural gas in the US.
Guess what else is incredibly horrible for the environment? Oil extraction. In fact, oil extraction is arguably worse for the environment.
Let’s put this tired talking point to rest, forever. It’s more than likely been invented by the special interest groups for oil.