Throughout its life cycle, a typical electric vehicle in Europe produces fewer greenhouse gases (GHG) and air or noise pollutants than its petrol or diesel equivalent. Emissions are typically higher in the production phase, but are offset by lower emissions in the use phase over time.
According to the European Environment Agency’s report on electric cars, greenhouse gas emissions from electric cars were around 17-30% lower than those of petrol and diesel cars. It is also expected that as electric vehicle production becomes more efficient and produces cleaner electricity each year, the life cycle emissions of a typical electric vehicle could be reduced by at least 73% by 2050.
The number of electric cars in Europe is increasing every year. For example, electric vehicle registrations for 2022 accounted for 21.6% of the share of total new car registrations, according to preliminary data. For a sustainable mobility system, electric cars alone will not be enough. Moreover, the production of electric vehicles will still require significant resources and generate pollution. Electric cars also won’t solve the problem of increased transportation demand, time spent in traffic, or finding a parking space.
The real question is how to meet society’s need for point-to-point mobility, social interaction and the ability to access goods and services. From large-scale public transport, car-sharing schemes, shared self-driving cars, and the shift to alternative modes of transport (such as rail, walking and cycling) to improved spatial planning and new approaches that can reduce the need for commuting, such as working from home.
