Khaberni - A recent study revealed that electric vehicles produce more pollution than gasoline or diesel cars during their first years of operation, despite usually being marketed as an environmentally friendly option.
Researchers from Duke University used a comprehensive model to analyze the impact of cars on the climate, including emissions from fuel production, battery manufacturing, vehicle assembly, and operation. They found that battery-operated electric vehicles produce 30% higher carbon dioxide emissions in their first two years of operation compared to conventional cars.
This is partly due to the lithium extraction processes used in batteries, which occur in countries such as Australia, Chile, and China, and consume large amounts of energy and water, and may cause environmental pollution if not conducted safely. Additionally, battery manufacturing requires extra energy consumption, further increasing emissions during the production phase.
Dr. Pankaj Sadavarte, the primary researcher in the study, stated: "Lithium mining and battery manufacturing contribute approximately 50% to the total carbon dioxide emissions per vehicle in the first year."
However, after the second year of use, electric vehicles start to outperform gasoline and diesel cars in terms of environmental impact.
Sadavarte explained: "Looking at the vehicle's lifespan of about 18 years, electric vehicles contribute significantly to the reduction of cumulative carbon dioxide emissions, especially when compared over the same traveled distance."
The study also noted that electric cars do not emit any exhaust emissions while driving, such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, but they are still associated with indirect emissions during the production stages.
The researchers concluded that the annual environmental damage cost of an electric car is approximately $629, compared to about $1605 for a gasoline or diesel car.
Additional studies showed that electric cars produce more toxic fine particles from brake pads than diesel car fumes, due to their greater weight, increasing "non-exhaust pollution" during braking.
Electric vehicles are not entirely "emission-free," but they outperform conventional cars in the long term, especially when using clean electricity and accounting for the full lifespan of the vehicle. However, buyers should consider the initial environmental impact of the production process and personal driving patterns.
