Electric Vehicles (EVs) may produce more emissions during manufacturing, but they quickly catch up, debunking the narrative that EVs are as harmful to the environment due to battery manufacturing. The production of an EV indeed results in more emissions than that of a gas-powered car, largely due to the production of the battery that powers an EV. This difference is attributed to the energy required to extract and refine materials used in batteries, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and aluminum.
The 2023 Polestar and Rivian Pathway Report estimates that the average electric vehicle production equates to around 14 tons of carbon dioxide, compared to 10 tons for internal combustion engine vehicles. This indicates about 40% more emissions from the production of an electric vehicle. However, this ‘carbon debt’ is quickly offset once the EVs are on the road and start saving on emissions that would have been produced by gas-powered vehicles.
Furthermore, the emissions from EV manufacturing are likely to decrease as battery technology evolves and manufacturers rely less on rare earth materials that require significant effort to mine, refine, and export. Therefore, while EVs may start with a higher carbon footprint, they quickly catch up and surpass their gas-powered counterparts in terms of overall environmental impact.
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