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Welcome back to our ongoing series, "EV Myths: Charging Up the Truth"! We're continuing to tackle the persistent misconceptions surrounding electric vehicles (EVs) with a dose of hard facts and real-world data.
In this penultimate instalment of the series, we're tackling concerns about cold weather range, the environmental impact of battery production, and the source of electricity powering our EVs. Let's plug into some more truths.
EV MYTH #10: Electric cars lose a significant amount of driving range in freezing temperatures.
While it's true that EV batteries can experience a reduction in driving range in very cold weather, it's important to remember that combustion engine cars also become less efficient in freezing conditions.
In 2020, the Norwegian Automobile Association conducted a real-world winter test of 20 different EVs. Their findings showed that, on average, EVs experienced a range reduction of up to 20% at temperatures between 0 and 2 degrees Celsius. Interestingly, the Nissan Ariya performed best in this test, with a range loss of only 16%.
It's also worth noting that the latest generation of EVs are increasingly equipped with heat pumps. These clever systems help to quickly warm the battery, which in turn reduces the impact of low temperatures on driving range.
But let's not forget our petrol and diesel counterparts. According to tests carried out by the US Department of Energy, in low temperatures, the average petrol car loses around 15% in fuel efficiency. For shorter trips, before the engine has fully warmed up, this increase in fuel consumption can be as high as 20%.
Ultimately, just like with a traditional car, driving style will also play a role in range or fuel efficiency in sub-zero temperatures.
The Truth: EV batteries do experience some range reduction in freezing temperatures, but the latest technology is mitigating this. Crucially, combustion engine cars also suffer from reduced efficiency in cold weather, often by a similar or even greater margin, especially on short journeys.
EV MYTH #11: The environmental impact of mining for EV battery materials outweighs the benefits of electric vehicles.
While it's undeniable that all forms of energy extraction and production have an environmental impact, it's crucial to consider the scale and context of global emissions.
The Energy Transition Commission's 2023 report, "Material and Resource Requirements for the Energy Transition," provides some valuable perspective. Their analysis suggests that the cumulative global emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases from battery mining and the production of solar panels and wind turbines over the next 30 years will amount to between 15 to 35 gigatons of CO2.
Now, let's compare that to the emissions from traditional fossil fuels. The same report highlights that the global fossil fuel energy extraction process alone emits around 40 gigatons of CO2 every single year. Furthermore, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported in 2018 that a staggering 89% of global emissions originate from fossil fuels.
Therefore, suggesting that the emissions from mining battery minerals could possibly surpass the colossal annual emissions associated with the entire lifecycle of fossil fuels – from exploration and drilling to transportation, refining, distribution, and finally, burning – is a significant oversimplification, to say the least.
The Truth: While mining for battery materials does have an environmental impact, the cumulative emissions associated with the entire clean energy transition over the next three decades are estimated to be significantly lower than the emissions produced by fossil fuel extraction every single year.
EV MYTH #12: Electric cars are primarily powered by dirty energy sources like coal and gas.
The source of electricity powering EVs is a key consideration, and the picture in the UK is increasingly green.
According to the National Grid ESO, as of March 2024, 64% of the electricity entering the grid in Great Britain was generated from zero-carbon sources. This includes wind, solar, nuclear, biomass, and hydro power. In fact, in the first quarter of 2023, British wind farms alone generated more electricity than was produced by burning gas.
Furthermore, data from Zap Map indicates that 80% of EV drivers in the UK charge their vehicles overnight on low-energy tariffs. Importantly, most electricity suppliers certify that the electricity used during these off-peak hours is generated from renewable sources.
Therefore, the vast majority of electric cars in the UK are not being charged using coal or gas, but rather with electricity produced by cleaner, renewable sources. As the UK continues to invest in and expand its renewable energy infrastructure, the environmental benefits of driving an EV will only continue to grow.
The Truth: A significant and growing proportion of the UK's electricity supply comes from zero-carbon renewable sources. Moreover, the majority of EV drivers charge overnight using tariffs that often guarantee electricity from renewable generation.
Stay Tuned for the next Instalment!
Don't miss the next part of our "EV Myths: Charging Up the Truth" series as we continue to separate fact from fiction in the world of electric vehicles.