ACEEE study: The most environmentally friendly car is not an electric vehicle!
Electromobility is a key building block for more sustainable mobility. Electric cars are considered to be significantly more environmentally friendly than their petrol-guzzling counterparts. However, a recent study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) shows: Electric cars are not always the more environmentally friendly option. In 2024, a plug-in hybrid, the Toyota Prius Prime SE, will top the list of the most environmentally friendly cars. This is despite the fact that electric cars follow in the next four places.
The study not only takes into account the direct emissions of the vehicles, but also other environmental factors such as the environmental impact of the production and disposal of the vehicles and the environmental impact of the production and distribution of the respective fuel. Compact vehicles with smaller batteries were categorised as particularly environmentally friendly.
However, before jumping to conclusions, it should be remembered that electric cars are not bad per se. On the contrary: they are a big step towards more sustainable mobility. They are quiet, emit no exhaust fumes and can be powered by electricity generated from renewable sources. All these advantages speak in favour of electromobility.
However, it is also undisputed that the production of electric cars and especially their batteries has a negative impact on the environment. It is therefore important to make production as environmentally friendly as possible. There is still room for improvement here. The issue of battery disposal and recycling has also not yet been conclusively resolved.
There are alternatives for owners of polluting cars. In addition to switching to an electric car or an environmentally friendly hybrid vehicle, they can also ensure that their vehicle is driven economically and regularly serviced in order to reduce CO2 emissions. Switching to public transport, cycling or carpooling can also be considered.
Incentives such as purchase premiums for environmentally friendly cars, stricter environmental zones or a CO2 tax could be helpful in encouraging drivers to be more environmentally friendly. Low emission zones could play a crucial role by banning high polluting vehicles from city centres, thus increasing the pressure on drivers to switch to more environmentally friendly models.
Despite the challenges of production and disposal, electric cars can make an important contribution to reducing the environmental impact of transport. However, it is important not to rely solely on electromobility, but also to take other measures to make mobility more sustainable.