With every major car manufacturer committing to phase out vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, it may seem like you can finally outsmart the taxman. However, the fiscal perks that make electric vehicles (EVs) attractive are slowly disappearing, and road pricing plans are being accelerated to compensate for the decrease in petrol duties.
Unfortunately, the technological flaws of battery-powered cars still exist. EVs are heavier than their gasoline counterparts due to the less dense energy source. Additionally, collections of lithium batteries have a higher risk of fire accidents, which are difficult to extinguish, as exemplified by the burning of the Felicity Ace cargo ship carrying luxury cars.
To make matters worse, the cost of charging an EV has been steadily increasing, reaching a record high recently. As a result, many commuters continue to appreciate the reliability, affordability, and convenience of traditional internal combustion vehicles and the national infrastructure that supports them.
Surprisingly, one major flaw of EVs has received minimal attention: they are actually worse for the environment than petrol or diesel cars, albeit in a different way. Recent research conducted by Volvo confirms this “dirty secret.” They compared the lifetime CO2 emissions of two versions of their XC40 model, analyzing the entire environmental impact from resource extraction to disposal. Volvo concluded that EVs are initially more carbon-intensive due to the resource extraction required for their electric drivetrains.
Furthermore, most EV owners won’t drive enough miles solely on clean energy to offset this initial carbon disadvantage. Based on the typical global fuel generation mix, it would take a typical EV driver 92,000 miles to reach CO2 emission parity with a petrol-powered vehicle, and around 52,000 miles for a driver in the EU, where the energy mix includes more nuclear and renewable sources. And this is without factoring in the need to replace the battery.
Despite these drawbacks, it’s important to acknowledge the progress made by electric cars. Many owners who have the luxury of off-road parking and use their cars for short or infrequent trips are satisfied with their EVs. In the end, all car owners, whether they prefer traditional cars or EVs, share a common enemy: the influential lobby that aims to eliminate car ownership entirely.
Personal mobility allows for more fulfilling employment opportunities and the exploration of places that public transportation cannot reach. Unfortunately, this concept is constantly under attack. However, the current success of the electric vehicle market does not guarantee its future dominance. Battery technology remains stagnant, with even Tesla recently regressing a generation.
All in all, while EVs have their benefits, it’s crucial to consider their drawbacks and the broader context of the automotive industry.
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