Two new reports on electric vehicles raise doubts about the ability of electric vehicles to help lower CO2 emissions until the world moves away from coal-based electric generation.
In fact, a study by researchers from Tsinghua University (China) and Argonne National Laboratory (US) found that a large-scale conversion to EVs in China could actually increase carbon emissions, compared to internal combustion and hybrid drives. SO2 and NOx emissions also increase in China with increased use of electric vehicles, although the conversion would decrease the use of oil. Coal-based power dominates the Chinese electric grid, accounting for over 95% of electric generation in some regions and a large majority overall.
Considering that vehicle use in China is expected to exceed that in the US by the middle of the century, this electric vehicle concern is an important one. And it is not just an issue in China.
A report by the UK Royal Academy of Engineering finds that in order for electric vehicles to have a big effect on climate change the grid in Britain needs to move away from coal towards non-carbon power sources, such as nuclear, wind and wave. As the report puts it, “EVs and PHEVs (plug-in hybrids) can only be as ‘green’ as the electricity used to charge their batteries.”
With almost 70% of US electricity coming from fossil fuels (and most of that from coal) the same is true in the US. Simply converting to electric vehicles does not solve emissions problems. Energy needs to become much greener and vehicles must become way more efficient.
Like 100 mpg. The Automotive X Prize is meant to spur breakthrough innovations in auto efficiency and it could not be happening at a better time. Edison2 believes that platform efficiency (low weight, low aerodynamic drag) is the key, making any power source more efficient. Electric vehicles could very well be a desirable future of the automobile, when the grid is no longer dependent on carbon, and an electric car built on Very Light Car principles would use less electricity.
In the meantime we simply need cars that use very little energy, yet are functional, safe and affordable. Like the Very Light Car.