The International Energy Agency (IEA) has introduced an innovative interactive tool. With this tool, users can explore greenhouse gas emissions associated with passenger cars using various power trains. It covers battery electric, conventional, and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The calculator considers the complete lifecycle of these cars, including raw material extraction, production, and end-use. By doing so, it provides a precise estimate of both direct and indirect emissions for different vehicle types.
According to the IEA’s analysis, if we consider current policy settings, approximately one in six cars on the road will be electric by 2030. This shift toward electric vehicles has significant implications for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, if countries meet their announced energy and climate commitments fully and on schedule, the adoption rate of electric vehicles could be even higher.
The IEA’s interactive tool not only compares greenhouse gas emissions across different powertrains but also allows users to customize assumptions related to energy supply. These assumptions include factors like the emissions intensity of electricity production and the level of biofuel blending in fossil fuels for conventional and plug-in hybrid vehicles. By adjusting these parameters, users can visualize how progress in decarbonizing relevant sectors impacts a car’s future emissions. The scenarios considered range from today’s policy settings to a world on track for net zero emissions by 2050.
Additionally, lifecycle assessment plays a crucial role in understanding emissions. For electric vehicles, this assessment considers not only emissions during vehicle use but also those associated with mining critical minerals for batteries and the electricity generation mix used to power the vehicle. It provides a comprehensive view of emissions across the entire lifecycle of a product, process, or service.
