The Electric Car Debate

Contrary to the popular myth concerning the green credentials of the electric car, new research claims that greater use of electric cars will have the effect of increasing Britain’s CO2 level of emissions instead of cutting them. They also draw into question the governments 250 million incentive scheme intended to encourage take up of electric cars. The government will pay anyone buying an electric car a sweetener of £5,000 towards the cost.

They point to the fact that much of the countries electricity is still being produced by burning fossil fuels such as coal and gas and that when this is transported via the national grid to cars and stored in batteries there is a significant loss of power due to system leakage.

The group Transport Watch, who gathered the information, claim that when all the factors relating to the production and delivery of electricity are taken into account then electric cars emit almost twice as much CO2 as diesel driven cars.  A report says, “We conclude that the notion that electric cars will reduce emissions is a faction.”   

It was calculated that of the energy produced at coal and oil burning power stations, only about 24% actually reaches the vehicle after drainage and loss are taken into account.

This compares poorly with a modern diesel engine, which scores 45% efficiency.

The RAC concluded that the electric car at present, while an innovative dimension in transport was not the solution to the world’s pollution and transport problems. They felt that more attention needed to be dedicated towards developing lighter, smaller cars and more efficient and cleaner engines to drive them, this would be a more practical way of approaching the reduction of CO2 emissions.

They point to the fact that if China was to take on the use of electric cars in their current format it would have the effect of doubling China’s already massive CO2 contribution. The development of a viable electric network and delivery points across the country will also add to the cost incurred in setting up the electric car network.

When all of these factors are considered it is believed that the EV example is not the cure all solution that certain sectors are promoting it as and the committee for Climate Change has called for greater research into changing current practices as the obvious way forward.

That is not to say that this will always be the case and the Chinese are making progress with the production of a concept car that should have negative CO2 emissions but this is still some way off entering production. The vehicle works on the principle of generating its own solar power as it travels. Ideas are also being considered that will include wind powered cars in the future but how far into the future this is, is uncertain.