A new study says that electric are often more environmentally hazardous than their combustion-engine counterparts. The research, conducted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, looked at the entire life of the cars鈥攆rom production, to usage, to end-of-life breakdown鈥攖o determine their total impact on the environment. If coal was used to create the electricity in cars, the study found, . The toxic waste created in production of electric cars鈥攆rom nickel, copper, and aluminum鈥攚as also much greater than in conventional-car production. According to the study, “The global warming potential from electric vehicle production is about twice that of conventional vehicles.” However, if the electric car is produced using low-carbon sources, there is still potential for it to reduce emissions on the whole. “If you are considering purchasing an electric vehicle for its environmental benefits,鈥 said the study鈥檚 co-author professor Anders Hammer Stromman, 鈥渇irst check your electricity source and second look closely at the warranty on the batteries.”
Via