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The future is electric – at least, this path is currently being pursued as the solution for more sustainable road transport. In this article, we’ll dive into everything about electric cars and compare them to combustion engines as well as other types of propulsion.

I’ve also delved into this topic because many people are skeptical about electric cars. This piques my interest, and I want to uncover what’s really behind it. So, this article is particularly directed towards those who oppose electric cars.

As always, facts are what matter here. To get straight to the point: the facts show that electric cars have a better environmental footprint than combustion engines. And in the spirit of impartiality: I currently drive a combustion engine myself.

But let’s take a closer look at everything.

Comparison of Sustainability between Combustion Engines and Electric Cars

Interpreting the results of an ecological balance and comparing them with each other is difficult without knowledge of assumptions and methodological frameworks. Who created or commissioned the balance for which vehicle? Which impact categories are considered in the ecological balance? Are all phases of a vehicle's life cycle taken into account, including production, use, and disposal? The electricity mix used in the production and use of electric cars also affects the result of the climate balance. Where does the battery data come from, and how up-to-date are they? These and many other questions must be answered to understand the results of the ecological balance.

Often, consumption studies are used as a comparison when it comes to the sustainability of electric and combustion engines. The comparison of consumption values is often made using the unrealistic NEDC standard, even though the more realistic WLTP standard already exists. Some studies still use the NEDC to make combustion engines appear cleaner than they actually are.

• NEDC (New European Driving Cycle): An older standard for measuring fuel consumption, often considered unrealistic because it is conducted under ideal laboratory conditions. The result is typically a lower consumption figure that is rarely achieved in real-world driving.

• WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure): A newer and stricter standard that is closer to real-world driving conditions. It takes into account various speeds, road conditions, and additional equipment to provide a more realistic picture of consumption.

In comparison to a combustion engine, an electric car requires fewer complex components. For example, the entire combustion engine with all its components such as cylinders, pistons, crankshafts, exhaust systems, and cooling systems is eliminated. The transmission is also no longer needed because the electric motor provides high torque from the beginning and can directly act on the wheels. In addition, there is no fuel pump or fuel tank, as the power comes from the battery and is not consumed by fuel. Furthermore, there is no exhaust as no emissions are generated. However, these savings are often not included in many ecological balance comparisons.

Upon closer examination of all the data, it becomes clear that electric cars have a significantly improved ecological footprint compared to internal combustion engines.

The Carbon Footprint of Electric Cars

When it comes to pollutant emissions, electric cars clearly come out on top compared to gasoline and diesel vehicles. Since they produce no emissions, they improve the overall air quality in cities. Greenhouse gas emissions are also significantly lower, as electric cars can be powered by renewable energy sources.

Furthermore, the efficiency of electric cars proves to be better, as, unlike internal combustion engines, which can only convert about 30 percent of the energy from fuel into movement, electric motors utilize almost all the energy from the battery. This means less energy is required to cover the same distance. The absence of components like catalysts or exhaust systems also makes electric cars lighter and saves additional energy.

Apart from the battery, the production of electric cars is more environmentally friendly in many areas than that of internal combustion vehicles. This is partly because fewer complex components are needed, such as exhaust systems, fuel systems, or oil filters that are necessary for combustion engines. Additionally, the electric motor has fewer moving parts, which simplifies manufacturing and reduces material usage. Maintenance also results in fewer emissions, as electric cars do not require oil changes. Thus, overall production is more resource-efficient, aside from the energy-intensive battery manufacturing.

Battery Production

The production of lithium-ion batteries generates high greenhouse gas emissions, as the extraction and processing of the required raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel are extremely energy-intensive.

This is often the main argument against electric cars. However, electric cars offset this disadvantage over their lifespan, as they produce no direct emissions during operation, and the use of renewable energy during charging can significantly improve the CO₂ balance. According to current estimates, an electric car must drive several tens of thousands of kilometers to offset the additional greenhouse gases produced during battery manufacturing.

Even if many believe this is still not cost-effective because the batteries will eventually fail, solutions are now available. After their use in an electric car, the batteries can still be utilized for second-life applications. They are recycled and reused, which reduces the demand for new batteries and, consequently, for raw materials.

However, not all battery components can be efficiently recycled yet. Nevertheless, research is ongoing into recycling technologies to enable the use of all recovered materials in the production of new batteries.

And please don't forget that battery manufacturing is not limited to electric cars, as internal combustion engines also require batteries to start the vehicle. While these are smaller, they also consume resources and contribute to overall emissions.

Infrastructure and Social Challenges of the Transport Transition

The current infrastructure, primarily designed for internal combustion engines, is the biggest problem when considering a shift to electric cars. Many gas stations and roads are not equipped for the needs of electric vehicles, and there is a lack of sufficient charging stations. This results in limited range, which can deter potential buyers. And if everyone in big cities had an electric car, each of these vehicles would need the ability to quickly find a charging option. Therefore, to make electric cars more attractive, significant improvements and expansions to the charging infrastructure must be made at the political level.

If you’re generally concerned about the range of electric vehicles, while the infrastructure is indeed lacking due to insufficient charging options, the range of electric cars has improved significantly since the early days of these vehicles' development.

Aside from the infrastructure, electric vehicles also need to become affordable. Currently, many models are still relatively expensive due to high production costs. Financial incentives or subsidies are necessary to encourage the transition to electric vehicles so that more people can afford an electric car.

Further Advantages of Electric Cars

Additional advantages of electric cars, which are less related to the CO₂ balance but, in my opinion, should still be mentioned, include that they are quieter than internal combustion engines, leading to a more pleasant driving experience. Furthermore, electric cars have better acceleration since electric motors provide high torque that is available instantly. Additionally, charging electric cars, especially if you have a photovoltaic system, is cheaper than refueling combustion vehicles. Annual service costs are also lower because electric cars have fewer components, resulting in less maintenance effort.

Alternative Fuel: E-Fuels Vehicles - Challenges and Applications

E-fuels are synthetic fuels obtained from renewable energy sources, and they represent a climate-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. The production of e-fuels is based on the power-to-X principle, where water is split into its components, hydrogen and oxygen, using renewable energy. The hydrogen is then combined with carbon dioxide to produce synthetic fuels such as diesel, gasoline, or gas. However, the process of e-fuel production is very inefficient and is associated with high conversion losses. The energy transition is already ambitious enough, and e-fuels would add additional pressure to the power grid. The production of e-fuels is currently also very expensive, and costs must be significantly reduced to make them economically viable.

Another problem with e-fuel production is the high greenhouse gas emissions, which are three to four times higher than those of fossil fuels when used. Therefore, e-fuel vehicles are only environmentally friendly when operated with almost pure renewable energies. There is also the risk of lock-in effects, where a low availability of e-fuels could lead to an extension of dependence on fossil fuels, resulting in a setback in climate policy.

In some areas, e-fuels could still be useful, such as in the aviation industry, where electric airplanes are not practical due to their high weight and limited range.

Alternative Fuel: Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Vehicles - Challenges and Applications

Hydrogen cars, or more accurately, fuel cell cars, are electric cars that are powered by the use of hydrogen as fuel. Unlike "normal" electric cars, the vehicle contains a fuel cell and a hydrogen tank that generate the power for the drive during the journey. A small battery serves as a buffer and covers peak loads as well as recuperation energy generated during braking. In the fuel cell, electric current is obtained from hydrogen, with water and heat as waste products. The fuel cell is therefore the actual energy supplier for the electric motor in the vehicle.

The fuel is stored in the car either in gaseous form under high pressure or in liquid form at minus 253 degrees Celsius. In this state of matter, a very high energy density is achieved, which is why special, super-insulated tanks are required. These are double-walled, and insulation materials in a vacuum are located between the two shells of the tank, which keep the tank cold and minimize vapor losses. Hydrogen filling stations store hydrogen both as a gas and deep-frozen.

Hydrogen cars are Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) and emit no emissions locally. Only heat and water vapor are released, while the amounts of NOx are very low. This is because ambient oxygen is used as a reactant, which, however, is polluted.

Hydrogen is usually obtained from natural gas, which is called gray hydrogen because CO2 is released into the atmosphere during this process. Therefore, the sustainability of hydrogen cars is only as good as the sustainability of hydrogen production. However, there are also approaches to obtaining hydrogen from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy, which would significantly increase sustainability.

Compared to conventional electric cars, hydrogen cars offer some advantages, such as higher range and short refueling times. They can also serve as energy storage devices, as they can absorb and later release excess energy. However, they are currently very expensive, and there are only a few filling stations where hydrogen can be refueled. Especially in the field of commercial vehicles and trucks, they can be an interesting alternative, as they have a high range and short refueling times and can serve as energy storage devices.

Closing Words

In conclusion, it can be said that no car is completely climate-neutral. However, electric cars perform the best. E-fuels and hydrogen fuel cells have potential, but they are currently more suitable for industrial vehicles and require further technological development. Internal combustion cars perform the worst in terms of CO₂ emissions and air pollution.

Overall, it would be sensible to expand the infrastructure in urban areas not only for electric cars but also to make public transportation more accessible and reduce overall traffic. In rural areas, more public charging options should also be created.