BEVs have smaller environemental footprint than ICE over time

[begreen]

A new study is out comparing the lifetime environmental impacts of battery electric vehicles compared to internal combustion.
"Making electric vehicles and their batteries is a dirty process that uses a lot of energy. But a new study says that EVs quickly make up for that with less overall emissions through two years of use than a gas-powered vehicle."

Study finds EVs quickly overcome their energy-intensive build to be cleaner than gas cars

Producing and manufacturing electric vehicles and their batteries uses a lot of energy, leading many to be skeptical about the environmental benefits of going electric.

apnews.com

The work by researchers from Northern Arizona University and Duke University, published Wednesday in the journal PLOS Climate, offers insight into a transportation sector that makes up a big part of U.S. emissions.

Comparing the climate and air pollution footprints of Lithium-ion BEVs and ICEs in the US incorporating systemic energy system responses

With rising travel demand and the need to tackle both the air quality and climate change challenges caused by fossil fuel vehicles, there is an urgent need to transition to cleaner and more sustainable fuels. While lithium-ion battery electric vehicles (BEVs) produce no emissions during...

journals.plos.org

 

[woodgeek]

Always good to confirm what we already knew.

And it will get better in the future, as carbon intensity of the grid falls. And once EV buildout is at steady state (around 2050), then all those battery materials will be mostly recycled from retired EVs, lowering their carbon costs further.

 

[EbS-P]

adding more sound research to the pile of overwhelming evidence that we can do better if we only cared too. My BEV turns 9 years old this year. We have a chance of hitting 60k miles by new years. Hasn’t needed breaks yet. Some days we’re charging 20kwh. When you start adding oil changes every 5-8k miles that cost $100 or more BEVs look even better.

 

[begreen]

I know I'm not going back to ICE vehicles. BEVs have spoiled us. When I get in the van it seems amazingly noisy and I immediately miss regenerative braking.

 

[EbS-P]

I know I'm not going back to ICE vehicles. BEVs have spoiled us. When I get in the van it seems amazingly noisy and I immediately miss regenerative braking.

You didn’t even mention the smile pedal on the right! And I agree, using the energy waisting big pedal makes me sad! I will say my ICE diesel sprinter has a place. No BEV on the market could make 1400 miles with 7 people a gear for 30 days in 36 hours! Or 7 people 1000 miles in 18. For an everyday “normal” (not crazy person) use BEVs are so good.

It’s a shame they hav discontinued the Ford Lightning. I have my eyes on the used BEV market. I’m not going to be able to justify a a HV battery replacement on my X. I have to make my self sell it before the battery dies. But it’s so fun but really expensive to keep on the road.

 

[begreen]

Yes, my van is handy. I like it for camping, but am eyeing the KIA PV5 and hope it starts selling here. If so, I will segway to that one.

 

[bogieb]

After looking at the articles and abstract, I wish there was a bit more information. I mean, how many miles on average did they use per year? Logically, the more miles put on, the more likely that the total emissions of an EV will be lower than an ICE - while the lower the miles, the longer the period of environmental payback.

If they used the US auto insurance average of 12,000 miles per year - that is a far cry from my usage at 3-4k miles per year and nearly twice as much as the 6,667 miles per year usage by @EbS-P. However, when I was putting in 20-25k miles per year, the payback would have been much faster.

 

[EbS-P]

After looking at the articles and abstract, I wish there was a bit more information. I mean, how many miles on average did they use per year? Logically, the more miles put on, the more likely that the total emissions of an EV will be lower than an ICE - while the lower the miles, the longer the period of environmental payback.

If they used the US auto insurance average of 12,000 miles per year - that is a far cry from my usage at 3-4k miles per year and nearly twice as much as the 6,667 miles per year usage by @EbS-P. However, when I was putting in 20-25k miles per year, the payback would have been much faster.

I’m probably right at under 10k/year. I would have no issues getting an off lease used EV. Or heck if it just a run around a quite used Bolt or Leaf.

I’m guessing they use the 12k a year average. So your break even point is 6 years. Let someone else eat the depreciation and get it a used EV that’s already past the break even point.


My parents model 3 is seeing something like 5-8k miles a year. Two years of ownership and ZERO issues. Maybe they have one rattle. No oil changes. The LFP battery will probably still be functioning well after they are done driving.

Edit. Something like this!!

2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV LT for sale in Vernon Rockville, CT - CARFAX

Make a more informed buying decision at CARFAX by first viewing vehicle history on this 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV LT.

www.carfax.com