Misconception: "An electric car does not emit CO2"

An electric vehicle has a reputation for being less polluting than a diesel locomotive, i.e. gasoline or diesel. This is the reason that cars are becoming more and more electric. However, the life cycle of an electric vehicle must also take into account its production, its recharging with electricity and the production of its battery, which is very difficult in terms of carbon dioxide emissions.

True or False: "The EV doesn't produce CO2"?

FALSE!

A car emits CO2 throughout its life: of course when it is in motion, but also during its production and shipment from the place of manufacture to the place of sale and use.

In the case of an electric vehicle, the CO2 it emits during use is less associated with exhaust emissions, as in the case of a thermal vehicle, than with electricity consumption. Indeed, an electric car needs to be charged.

But this electricity is coming from somewhere! In France, the energy balance includes a very large share of nuclear power: 40% of the energy produced, including electricity, comes from nuclear power. Although nuclear power does not produce large CO2 emissions compared to other forms of energy such as oil or coal, each kilowatt hour is still equivalent to 6 grams of CO2.

In addition, CO2 is also emitted in the production of electric vehicles. Shoes get pinched, especially due to their battery, whose environmental impact is very important. This requires, in particular, the extraction of rare metals, but also leads to significant emissions of pollutants.

However, over its entire lifespan, an electric vehicle still emits less CO2 than a thermal imager. in its carbon footprint However, an electric vehicle differs from country to country, in particular, depending on the structure of energy consumption and the origin of the electricity it needs during its life, as well as on the production of its battery.

But in the worst case, an electric car will still emit 22% less CO2 than a diesel car and 28% less than a gasoline car, according to a 2020 study by the NGO Transport and Environment. 17 kilometers to offset CO2 emissions from production.

In Europe, an electric car at the end of its life cycle emits more than 60% less CO2 than an electric car. Even if the claim that EV does not produce CO2 at all is not true, the carbon footprint is clearly in its favor in terms of its lifespan, at the expense of diesel and gasoline.