CO2 is a major cause of global pollution. With the growing global emphasis on keeping the carbon footprint low, more and more countries are joining the EV bandwagon. Electric vehicles are rapidly being adopted due to their zero tailpipe emissions. Yet, many people have apprehensions. They believe that the indirect emissions of EVs are much greater than those of conventional vehicles. In this article, we give you the facts why EV supply chain carbon emissions are lower than ICE vehicles.
What Are Indirect Emissions?
By indirect emissions, we mean the emissions that are not produced while a vehicle while it is running.
Such emissions are the result of other activities involved in bringing these vehicles to a running state.
For example, emissions caused by the vehicle supply chain or energy generation plants. Coal power plants, for example, expel massive amounts of pollutants into the environment.
Some experts believe that transportation policies fail to account for these indirect emissions. As a result, they believe that EVs may cause more harm than conventional vehicles. Thus, it is critical to bring their impact to light.
Research By YSE’s Team
A recent study from Yale School of The Environment researched the role of EVs in reducing emissions. The study was carried out by Stephanie Weber, Paul Wolfram, Ken Gillingham and Edgar Hertwich.
The examination got published in Nature communications. It was lauded for the great attention to detail with which the researchers analyzed the matter.
According to Professor Ken Gillingham, the mining and processing of raw materials for battery manufacturing places significant strain on the global environment.
This is why the research was designed to particularly elicit data about these aspects.
What Did The Study Include?
The study incorporated even the minutest details. It included industrial ecology and energy economics.
Some of the aspects included in the research were
– Life cycle assessment;
– Carbon pricing;
– Modeling energy systems.
National Energy Modeling System
The YSE study used a unique data collection method. This method is known as the National Energy Modeling System.
This system was developed by the Energy Information Administration and is used for in-depth analysis by the US energy system.
It was used as an effective measure to forecast the future of electric vehicles.
Results Of The Research
By inputting data into the NEMS, Professor Paul Wolfram found that the actual threat to the environment is not the supply chain of EVs, rather that of conventional vehicles.
So, while the direct emissions of conventional vehicles are higher than that of EVs, their indirect emissions are no exception.
Need To Fuel The EV Drive
The study recommended that in countries like the United States electric vehicles should be adopted more quickly. This is because such countries have significant decarbonized energy supplies.
Final Verdict
The recent research by YSE experts is yet another affirmation that electric vehicles are the way to go.
Electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions. Besides this, their indirect emissions are also significantly lower.
As a result, countries that are heavily invested in EVs are proceeding in the right direction. Similarly, other countries should also follow suit for playing their role in keeping the planet green.
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