A recent study by the ifo Institute has found that electric cars, such as the Tesla Model 3, produce more CO2 emissions than comparable diesel vehicles, when taking into account the production of the battery and electricity generation. The European Union currently classifies electric cars as emission-free, but the study suggests that gas-powered vehicles may be a better interim solution until hydrogen or green methane-powered cars become more widely available. The study compared a Mercedes C 220d diesel car with a Tesla Model 3 electric car, taking into account all CO2 emissions from production to operation. The researchers found that the production of a single Tesla Model 3 battery requires so much lithium, cobalt, and manganese that 11 to 15 tonnes of CO2 are released during the extraction of these metals. Over a 10-year lifespan and an annual mileage of 15,000 km, the Tesla Model 3 produces 73 to 98 grams of CO2 per kilometre, just from the production of its battery.
The study also took into account the CO2 emissions from electricity generation, which in Germany is still largely reliant on fossil fuels. The Tesla Model 3 produces 156 to 181 grams of CO2 per kilometre in Germany, compared to the Mercedes C 220d’s 141 grams per kilometre. The researchers criticised the EU’s classification of electric cars as emission-free, calling it a “deception”. They also deemed the EU’s proposed emissions limit of 59 grams per kilometre by 2030 as “technologically unrealistic”. The study suggests that gas-powered vehicles may be a better interim solution until hydrogen or green methane-powered cars become more widely available.
Professor Hans-Werner Sinn, former president of the ifo Institute, has called on the German government to “think technology-neutral and promote hydrogen and methane technology”. The study highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to reducing emissions in the transport sector, including the promotion of alternative fuel sources and the development of more sustainable production methods for electric car batteries.
