CO₂ Emissions From Cars : Facts

CO₂ Emissions From Cars On The Rise

The transportation sector accounts for a significant portion of the European Union's carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, with road transportation being the primary contributor.

This sector was responsible for about a quarter of the EU’s total CO₂ emissions in 2019, of which 71.7% came from road transportation [1].

Transport emissions on the rise

Transport is the only sector where greenhouse gas emissions have increased in the past three decades, rising 33.5% between 1990 and 2019. Significantly reducing CO₂ emissions from transport will not be easy, as the rate of emission reductions has slowed [1].

Road transport accounts for about a fifth of EU emissions. CO₂ emissions from passenger transport varies significantly depending on the transport mode. Passenger cars are a major polluter, accounting for 61% of total CO₂ emissions from EU road transport [1].

Are electric cars cleaner?

We cannot declare triumph by assuming that the transition to electric cars alone solves the emissions problem, resulting in a zero-emission scenario. That's not the reality.

One contributor to the emissions associated with electric vehicles (EVs) is the production of their large lithium-ion batteries. The extraction and processing of essential minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel—critical components of modern EV batteries—involve the use of fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Building an 80 kWh lithium-ion battery, as found in a Tesla Model 3, results in the emission of approximately 2.5 to 16 metric tons of CO₂ , depending largely on the energy source used for material processing [2]. This intensive battery manufacturing process means that the production of a new EV can generate around 80% more emissions compared to manufacturing a comparable gasoline-powered car [2].

The primary source of EV emissions lies in the energy used to charge their batteries. These emissions vary significantly based on the location of driving and the type of energy utilized. The optimal scenario, exemplified by Norway (Europe's largest EV market), involves drawing most energy from hydropower, resulting in a minimal carbon footprint for EVs. In contrast, countries heavily reliant on fossil raw-materials for energy production may exhibit less favorable emission figures for EVs [2].

Electric cars are gaining traction, representing 17.8% of all new registered passenger vehicles in 2021, a significant increase from 10.7% in 2020 [1].

This effect is directly linked to the problem of excess consumption. Because not all new electric cars purchased replace an internal combustion engine car. We can never forget that removing a car from circulation means generating waste in large quantities, at the same time that many materials are extracted from the ground to manufacture new vehicles. All of this contributes negatively to an increase in the carbon footprint.

[1]: European Parliament News

[2]: MIT Climate Portal