Summary By moving from the internal combustion engine (ICE) to an equivalent electric car, you will significantly reduce your carbon footprint and air quality impacts. This guide explores: How green electricity is Which kinds of EV are greenest How driving style affects When charging is greenest How green is using electricity as energy source? While it is true that your electric car will be greener with specifically sourced renewable electricity, you may be surprised by how green it is when just plugged into the average UK gridmix. Nissan LEAF vs Nissan Micra Example Nissan LEAF Acenta 40kWh Nissan Micra VISIA Efficiency 0.33 kWh/mile 52.3 miles per gallon Direct emissions 0 gCO2/km 123 gCO2/km Fuel production emissions 37 gCO2/km* 39 gCO2/km** Total emissions 37 gCO2/km 162 gCO2/km * According to average UK grid emissions in 2020 – 180gCO2/kWh ** It is estimated that ~15-40% of total “well-to-wheel” emissions come from extraction and refinement of petrol. We’ve used 32% as a mid-point as an assumption. The UK has dramatically decarbonised its power generation in recent years, mainly by replacing high emitting coal with less emitting natural gas and increasing the supply of renewable energy, like utilising solar panels. This process continues, as we look to remove the last of the coal, reduce our reliance on gas, and increase our reliance on renewable generation. As such the grid gets greener each year. Tip: While EVs have continued to get more green in terms of CO2 emissions in recent years, in operational terms they are typically more efficient than equivalent internal combustion engine vehicles even when charged from coal-fired power! So EVs are always winning, but the winnings keep growing. Not all EVs are equally green… Production Much of the carbon dioxide released over the lifetime of an EV is a byproduct of its manufacturing processes and supply chain. At present firm values for the carbon footprint of EVs are hard to come by. A Ricardo report in 2011 estimated that BEVs have a ~30% carbon deficit in their manufacture when compared with an internal combustion engine car, but that deficit was typically comfortably overcome within the operational life of an EV. More recently […]
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