Chinese EVs achieve greater emissions reductions over time due to improved efficiency and a greener power grid, states a study. While over 10% of Chinese car sales are now electric, the entire life cycle of EVs still generates carbon emissions. Shaojun Zhang and colleagues conducted comprehensive “cradle-to-grave” assessments of EVs in 2015 and 2020, covering fuel-cycle and material-cycle phases, and compiled life-cycle projections for 2030.
They considered factors such as electricity sources, vehicle fuel efficiency, key automotive metals, and battery technologies. In 2020, battery electric vehicles emitted around 40% fewer emissions throughout their life cycle compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, while in 2015, this difference was only 23%. This decline in emissions resulted from multiple factors but was primarily driven by improved operational efficiency.
Looking ahead to 2030, the authors predict that transitioning to nickel-cobalt-manganese batteries, combined with a cleaner electricity mix, could lead to a 53% emissions reduction throughout the entire life cycle of EVs compared to internal combustion vehicles. Regional variations add complexity; for instance, the northern regions of China rely more on coal for electricity production than other areas. Nonetheless, the authors assert that even in the North, EVs can deliver significant emissions reduction benefits.
PNAS Nexus journal article: “Multisectoral drivers of decarbonizing battery electric vehicles in China,” by Fang Wang, Shaojun Zhang, Yinan Zhao, Yunxiao Ma, Yichen Zhang, Anders Hove, and Ye Wu.
Courtesy of Newswise & PNAS Nexus.
Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica on email. Or follow us on Google News!
Have a tip for CleanTechnica, want to advertise, or want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.
Former Tesla Battery Expert Leading Lyten Into New Lithium-Sulfur Battery Era — Podcast:
I don’t like paywalls. You don’t like paywalls. Who likes paywalls? Here at CleanTechnica, we implemented a limited paywall for a while, but it always felt wrong — and it was always tough to decide what we should put behind there. In theory, your most exclusive and best content goes behind a paywall. But then fewer people read it! We just don’t like paywalls, and so we’ve decided to ditch ours. Unfortunately, the media business is still a tough, cut-throat business with tiny margins. It’s a never-ending Olympic challenge to stay above water or even perhaps — gasp — grow. So …
Source: Clean Technica