I’ve heard a few people say that it is better to keep your existing car and run it until it’s scrap than to buy a new electric car. The concern is that the carbon produced from making an EV is so great that keeping an existing fossil fuel car is better for the environment.
I found one report that said that the CO2 produced in making a Telsa Model 3 is about 50% higher than making a new petrol car. It says that a Model 3 produces about 72 tonnes of CO2 in its production with the fossil fuel car at 46 tonnes. The Tesla has a deficit of 26 tonnes before the car has even been driven. (Telsa’s own numbers look similar)
A medium sized petrol car produces about 350 grams of CO2 per mile. This means the car that does 10,000 miles per year produces about 3.5 tonnes of CO2 per year. The electricity used by the Telsa produces about 0.6 tonnes.
Tesla say that the average European car does 150,000 miles before being scrapped – the fossil fuel car will have produced 52 tonnes, the Tesla 9 tonnes. Lifetime CO2 for a fossil car = 98, Tesla = 81, This is why you will hear many say that over the lifetime of the car the CO2 produced is similar.
Surely the argument is settled, much better to keep the old car, at least for 3 more years to offset the Tesla’s higher production impact?
Key to reducing the 20% of all emissions that are transport related is the mix of EVs. The UK is currently 5% EV, Norway, the world leader, is 25% EV.
If we all do nothing, then nothing will change, we will perpetuate our reliance on oil and gas, and our planet will fry. Those who can afford to invest in this future should.
The change of our energy system will be led by the people that can make a choice making a greener choice. Maybe when your done with your Tesla its battery will find a new home at someone’s home.
