EVs responsible for three times less CO2 than petrol and diesel cars

Electric cars generate three times less CO2 on average than the equivalent petrol and diesel models, new data suggests.

The European Federation for Transport and Environment - commonly referred to as Transport and Environment or T&E - has created a tool that compiles CO2 emissions data and links it to the use of petrol, diesel and electric cars.

The tool takes into account the amount of CO2 produced both when cars with internal combustion engines burn fuel, as well as emissions generated during vehicle production, the carbon impact of extracting resources to make batteries, and the building of power plants.

In the worst-case scenario, an electric car with a battery produced in China and driven in Poland - where coal-fired power stations are still prevalent - generates 22 per cent less CO2 than an equivalent diesel car, and 28 per cent less than its petrol counterpart.

Meanwhile, in the best case scenario, an electric car with a battery produced in Sweden and driven in Sweden - where renewable energies are more prevalent - can be responsible for 80 per cent less CO2 than a diesel car, and 81 per cent less than a petrol one.

The tool shows that a medium-sized electric car with a battery produced in an average EU country and driven in the UK will generate 61 per cent less CO2 than the equivalent diesel, and 64 per cent less than an average petrol.

Meanwhile, if the electric car’s battery were produced in China and it was still driven in the UK, it would be responsible for 57 per cent less CO2 than the equivalent diesel, and 60 per cent less than an average petrol.

Would this tempt you buy an electric car over an ICE car? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below...