Transportation

Hidden delays of climate mitigation benefits in the race for electric vehicle deployment

Y. Ren, X. Sun, et al.

This study unveils the sobering reality of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in China, revealing their greenhouse gas break-even time averages 4.5 years, with many failing to offset their carbon debts even within battery warranty periods. The authors urge a shift in policy focus towards effective BEV replacement of internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs).

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Abstract

While battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are considered climate-friendly, their climate mitigation benefits are often delayed due to their carbon-intensive manufacturing process. This study analyzes millions of vehicle data from China and reveals that the greenhouse gas break-even time (GBET) of China's BEVs ranges from zero to over 11 years, averaging 4.5 years. A significant portion of BEVs cannot offset their initial carbon debt within their battery warranty period. The authors advocate for policies that prioritize effective BEV substitution for internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) rather than solely focusing on rapid BEV deployment.

Publisher

Nature Communications

Published On

May 31, 2023

Authors

Yue Ren, Xin Sun, Paul Wolfram, Shaoqiong Zhao, Xu Tang, Yifei Kang, Dongchang Zhao, Xinzhu Zheng

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