Volvo has said that emissions from the production of electric cars are far higher than a petrol equivalent, as it called on world leaders and energy providers to significantly boost investments in green energy to reduce the carbon footprint of plug-in models.
The Swedish carmaker said that over a car’s lifetime the electric version will become greener overall, though this will only be achieved after covering between 30,000 and 68,400 miles – taking between four and nine years for the average UK motorist.
The claims were made to coincide with the COP26 climate summit taking place in Glasgow and as part of a revolutionary new transparency approach adopted by the brand, which includes publishing its latest ‘Life Cycle Assessment’ report for the pure-electric £57,400 C40 Recharge.
It shows that greenhouse gas emissions during the production of the electric vehicle are nearly 70 percent higher than a petrol model, which is mainly due to the carbon intensity of battery and steel production, as well as from the increased share of aluminum in the plug-in car.
But Volvo said as an EV the C40 Recharge has a far lower carbon footprint than its comparable petrol version during the ‘use phase’, though suggests it would take a prolonged period of ownership before it offsets its higher emissions from production.
An electric Volvo C40 needs to be driven around 68,400 miles to have a lower carbon impact than the petrol version… if powered by a global electricity mix – but only 30,000 miles if powered by wind-generated electricity. #ZeroOmissions #COP26 https://t.co/AIoAaZECIo pic.twitter.com/WxngqPvQqe
— Volvo Car UK (@VolvoCarUK) November 2, 2021
When charged with clean energy, such as wind power, the lifecycle CO2 footprint of the new electric SUV comes down to approximately 27 tonnes of CO2, compared with 59 tonnes for an XC40 compact SUV powered by a combustion engine.
However, when drivers charge their C40 Recharge using an average global energy mix (which is generated for around 60 percent from fossil fuels), the car’s lifecycle CO2 tonnage can increase to as much as 50 tonnes, significantly reducing the environmental gains versus a traditionally powered car.
Volvo estimated that an electric Volvo C40 needs to be driven around 68,400 miles to have a lower total carbon footprint than its petrol equivalent if the former is powered by the current global electricity mix.
Based on the latest UK driving statistics, the average annual mileage is 7,400 miles. That means it could take nine years of ownership before the EV is greener than a car with an internal combustion engine, Volvo suggests.
However, it could offset its higher production emissions in only 30,000 miles (four years of driving) if charged with greener wind-generated electricity.
Experts have disputed – and criticized – the Swedish maker’s estimations, claiming it will take just 16,000 miles – just over two years of driving – for the electric C40 to overtake a petrol equivalent in terms of emissions – then pull well ahead beyond that point.
For a car manufacturer to make such bold statements that somewhat undermine the green credentials of its new – and expensive – vehicle is brave or foolish, depending on which side of the EV-debate fence you sit.
Volvo says the aim of its new reveal-all reports is to encourage decision-makers to make improvements so that it and other electric cars can ‘deliver on their true potential in terms of climate benefit’.
h/t Rúnar O.
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Is Bjorn Lomborg the CEO of Volvo? Will soccer moms switch to Subaru’s because Volvo told an inconvenient truth? What if the whole Green industry held themselves to the same standard of candor as Volvo? Pigs will fly first.
Well then, building EVs will add needed CO2 for greater crop yields.
Alln, crop yields will reduce regardless because so much land will be taken up by wind and solar farms. Much less land for food production.
So, besides the fact that e-cars burst into flames without warning and can not be distinguished by the fire department, lithium mining is child labor and ravages the country (like windmills and solar crap) in some countries they are banned from parking garages… you need to own the car for some ten years, some never do, it looks like a huge success.
I know that Volvo makes an excellent diesel vehicle because we have a 2007 XC90 that’s traveled 258,000 kms and goes like a new car. And – we just bought a 2009 diesel XC60 for our daughter who is returning to Australia from the UK.
I will NEVER buy an electric car. NEVER because they will not match a compact turbo charged diesel engine for durability, reliability and economy.