EV Myth Busting 2024
Last Updated: 5th August 2024
Myth: EVs offer no climate benefit over conventional cars
A common misconception about EVs is that they offer little or no climate benefit over conventional cars due to the emissions associated with manufacturing their batteries. This claim, such as the one made by former Conservative peer Matt Ridley, stating, "An EV has to travel 50,000+ miles to break even with an ICE [internal combustion engine] car," is simply not true.
The Fact
Carbon Debt Payoff: A typical EV pays off its "carbon debt" from battery production in less than two years. The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) confirms that an EV in Europe can offset its carbon emissions after around 11,000 miles (18,000 km).
Lifecycle Emissions: Over its entire lifecycle, an EV's CO2 emissions are approximately three times lower than those of an average petrol car. As electricity grids continue to decarbonize, these benefits only increase.
Improving Over Time: The ICCT's 2021 lifecycle analysis indicates that an EV bought in Europe cuts emissions by 66-69% compared to a conventional car, with this saving expected to rise to 74-77% by 2030.
Did you know that Carbon Brief’s analysis shows that a Tesla Model Y, the world’s best-selling EV, would pay off its “carbon debt” after about 13,000 miles (21,000 km) in the UK—less than two years for the average driver.
Common errors in false EV claims
Overestimating Battery Production Emissions: Critics often cherry-pick older studies with the highest emission estimates.
Unrealistic Fuel-Efficiency Figures: Real-world efficiency for combustion-engine cars is about 40% worse than test cycles suggest.
Ignoring Fuel Production CO2: Refining and producing fuel adds at least 20% more emissions on top of what comes from the car’s tailpipe.
EVs are a crucial part of our journey towards a more sustainable future. The evidence is clear: they offer substantial environmental benefits over their lifecycles and these advantages are growing as our energy grids get greener.
Myth: Keeping older cars is more environmentally friendly than buying a new electric vehicle
A common claim is that keeping older cars is more environmentally friendly than buying a new electric vehicle (EV). Comedian Rowan Atkinson even argued in The Guardian that “keeping your old petrol car may be better than buying an EV.” But is this really true?
The Fact
The Guardian published a factcheck debunking Atkinson’s argument. Assistant editor Jeremy Warner of the Daily Telegraph suggested that sticking with old gas-guzzlers is better for the planet than switching to EVs. However, analysis shows that retiring an “old banger” early for an EV is actually a net benefit for the environment.
Carbon Brief Analysis: Despite the initial CO2 emissions from manufacturing an electric car and its battery, a new EV starts cutting emissions after driving 20,000-32,000 miles.
Payoff Period: For an average UK driver, replacing an old petrol car with a new EV pays off the carbon debt within around four years. This timeline varies depending on the fuel efficiency of the car being scrapped, annual mileage, and the battery size of the new EV.
Even though avoiding the premature scrapping of functioning vehicles makes financial sense, transitioning to an EV sooner rather than later has clear environmental benefits. As electricity grids become greener, the advantages of driving an EV will only continue to grow.
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