Mobility

Coal-based electricity undermines positive impact of electric vehicles

electric-vehicles-EVs-chargers

Photo: Pixabay/distelAPPArath

Published

November 12, 2021

Country

Comments

0

Share

Published:

November 12, 2021

Country:

Comments:

0

Share

The environmental benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) should by no means be taken for granted as their impact depends on the carbon intensity of the electricity they use to recharge, or, more precisely, on the level of coal-reliance of the grid that supplies electricity for EV chargers. Serbia and Kosovo* are among the worst performers in Europe in terms of EVs’ carbon savings compared with gasoline vehicles, according to a recent study seen by Reuters.

EVs in Kosovo*, but also in EU member Poland, generate more carbon emissions than gasoline-powered vehicles because their grids are so coal-reliant, according to the study, produced by Radiant Energy Group (REG).

EVs in Serbia save only 15% of carbon emissions compared with gasoline cars

In Serbia, the emissions savings achieved by EVs are just 15% compared to fossil-fuel powered vehicles. This still better than in Cyprus, where electric cars’ positive impact is just 4%.

The top performer in Europe is Switzerland, whose nuclear and hydroelectric-powered grid enables 100% in such savings, followed closely by Norway, with a 98% ratio, France, 96%, Sweden, 95%, and Austria, 93%.

In countries with large solar and wind capacities savings depend on whether EVs are charged in the daytime or at night

In Germany and Spain, however, despite significant solar and wind capacities, the lack of better ways to store renewable energy makes EVs’ carbon savings dependent on the time of day when they are charged – much more is achieved in the afternoon, where there is more sunshine and wind, than it is at night, when grids receive more coal-based electricity.

An electric vehicle in Germany saves 55% of carbon emissions compared to a gasoline vehicle, according to the REG analysis, which was based on data from the European Network of Transmission System Operators (ENTSO-E) and the European Environment Agency (EEA).

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
Comments (0)

Be the first one to comment on this article.

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

Dubai based Origin manufacture install EV chargers Serbia

Dubai-based Origin to manufacture, install EV chargers in Serbia

23 March 2023 - Origin, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, said it would start manufacturing and installing electric car charging stations in Serbia

Bojan Kumer new energy ministry investments in renewables

Bojan Kumer to set up new energy ministry, expects EUR 1 billion in investments in renewables

16 January 2023 - Bojan Kumer, currently the infrastructure minister, announced the investments during the presentation of his agenda

Hydrogen filling station Vis island Croatia

Hydrogen filling station project underway on Vis island in Croatia

04 January 2023 - The City of Vis and the H2 association are developing a plan to build the first hydrogen filling station in Croatia

Cyprus first green hydrogen plant fueling trucks

Cyprus to get first green hydrogen plant – for fueling trucks

26 December 2022 - A 2 MW electrolyzer project in Cyprus was selected for a grant through the EU's Innovation Fund in a program for small-scale green tech