When Tesla first launched their EVs, it became not only a status symbol but also a toy for rich people to make them feel as if they were saving the planet.
However, studies in EVs later showed that mass lithium mining and battery manufacture cause more harm to the planet than burning petrol. Plus, the grid powers the electricity, which uses fossil fuels for power anyway.
So how exactly are EVs green?
Are electric vehicles actually better for energy sustainability?
That’s what we’ll discuss in this article.
An Overview
Electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as the poster child for the environmental movement, praised for their zero tailpipe emissions and role in reducing air pollution.
However, their true environmental impact extends beyond just their operation on the road.
From the carbon-intensive production of batteries to the energy sources powering EV charging stations, many factors determine how green EVs are.
The following guide aims to take a deep dive into the complete lifecycle of EVs, examining their carbon footprint during production, the impact of grid electricity on their “greenness,” and how innovations like solar-based EV charging can make electric mobility truly sustainable.
Hidden Carbon Emissions & Its Costs in EV
While electric vehicles are emissions-free during operation, their production is far from green. The mining of metals required for batteries and the manufacturing processes are both energy- and carbon-intensive, resulting in significant emissions before an EV even hits the road.
Mining for Lithium and Rare Earth Metals
The production of electric vehicles begins with the extraction of critical materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel—metals required for lithium-ion batteries. Mining for these metals is resource-intensive and comes with substantial environmental costs.
For example, producing one ton of lithium can consume as much as 500,000 gallons of water, exacerbating water shortages in arid regions like Chile’s Atacama Desert. Cobalt mining, primarily concentrated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is not only environmentally damaging but also involves human rights concerns, including child labor.
Moreover, the extraction and refinement processes for these materials are powered by fossil fuels in many regions.
According to a study from MIT Climate Portal, the carbon footprint of lithium extraction from brine (the most common method) can result in 15 tons of CO2 equivalent per ton of lithium. As EV adoption increases globally, the demand for lithium is projected to rise by 300% by 2030, raising serious concerns about the sustainability of the current extraction practices.
Manufacturing of EV Batteries
Beyond the raw materials, the process of manufacturing EV batteries is itself a significant contributor to emissions.
Battery production requires large amounts of energy, typically sourced from coal-powered plants in countries like China, where a large portion of global EV batteries are manufactured.
The Swedish Environmental Institute reports that, on average, producing lithium-ion batteries releases around 61 to 106 kg of CO2 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of battery capacity.
If we factor in less transparent data, that number can go up to 146 kg CO2 per kWh. The variation mostly comes from different production methods and the type of electricity used during manufacturing.
Today’s emissions are lower than they were back in 2017 when the average was 150 to 200 kg CO2 per kWh of battery capacity.
For comparison, driving a gasoline-powered car for 10 years can generate roughly the same amount of CO2, meaning the emissions savings from an EV will only “break-even” after several years of use.
However, manufacturers are working to reduce these emissions. Companies like Tesla and Volkswagen are investing in “green” factories that are powered by renewable energy, aiming to bring down the carbon footprint of battery production by as much as 30-40%.
Additionally, the growing focus on battery recycling could mitigate some of the negative impacts, as reusing materials like lithium and cobalt would reduce the need for new mining and extraction operations.
The Future of Greener Battery Production
As the industry evolves, companies are looking to innovate beyond traditional lithium-ion technology. Solid-state batteries, for instance, promise higher energy density and lower emissions during production due to fewer materials required.
According to a Transport & Environment report, solid-state batteries could reduce emissions from battery production by as much as 39%.
Furthermore, countries like Norway and Germany are exploring the use of renewable energy-powered factories, which could substantially reduce the overall emissions associated with EV production.
How Dependent We Are On The Grid?
The environmental benefits of an electric vehicle are largely determined by how green the electricity grid is in a given region. While EVs don’t emit carbon while driving, they still rely on electricity from the grid, which may be generated by fossil fuels.
Grid Dependency and Electricity Mix
Globally, 64.5% of the electricity produced still comes from fossil fuels, primarily coal and natural gas.
This means that even though EVs don’t burn gasoline, the electricity they consume may still result in significant carbon emissions.
For example, in India, where coal recently dropped below 50% of electricity generation, driving an electric car could result in around 100 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer.
This is higher than in countries like France, where the electricity grid is powered primarily by nuclear energy and renewables, resulting in emissions as low as 20 grams of CO2 per kilometer for EVs.
In the United States, the grid is a mixed bag.
In states like California, which relies heavily on renewables, charging an EV results in significantly lower emissions compared to states like West Virginia, where coal still provides nearly 90% of the electricity.
Not 100% Green Yet
The full environmental potential of electric vehicles can only be realized when the electricity used to charge them comes from 100% renewable sources.
Globally, the share of renewables in electricity generation is growing. As of 2022, renewables contributed to 29% of global electricity, with countries like Germany and Denmark leading the way by generating over 40% of their electricity from wind and solar, roughly speaking.
However, the transition to a fully renewable grid is slow, and in many countries, reliance on fossil fuels remains high.
The Best Possible Method To Go 100% Green in EV Charging
One way to guarantee that an electric vehicle is truly powered by clean energy is through solar-based EV charging.
By installing solar panels to directly generate electricity, EV owners and businesses can ensure their vehicles are charged without any reliance on the fossil-fuel-powered grid.
The Case for Solar-Based Charging
Solar-based charging systems are gaining traction as an effective way to green the charging process.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity, which is then used to charge the vehicle’s battery.
This method completely bypasses the traditional grid, ensuring that no fossil fuels are burned in the process.
A typical home solar setup with a 5 kW system can generate approximately 20 kWh per day, enough to fully charge a mid-sized electric vehicle (like a Tesla Model 3) after driving 80-100 miles.
For businesses and commercial properties with larger solar installations, the capacity to charge multiple vehicles daily makes solar charging stations not only environmentally friendly but also economically attractive, with payback periods of 5-7 years due to energy savings and incentives.
A Push for Commercial and Residential Spaces
Incorporating solar-based EV charging stations is an excellent opportunity for businesses and property developers to enhance their green credentials.
Shopping malls, parking garages, hotels, and office complexes can benefit from installing solar-powered EV chargers to attract eco-conscious consumers and tenants.
Moreover, in countries like the United States, the federal government offers incentives like the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a 30% tax credit for solar systems installed on both residential and commercial properties.
Similarly, individual homeowners can install solar charging setups, effectively transforming their EV ownership experience into one with a near-zero carbon footprint.
Getting a quality-grade EV Home Charging Station installed at your home or society parking has never been easier in India than now.
With solar panel costs decreasing by nearly 90% since 2000, solar EV charging is becoming an increasingly affordable option for residential users.
We, at Prian Energy, are working especially toward developing efficient solar-based EV charging at affordable rates. You can contact our team to know more or get a custom quote.
You know from reading here that solar-based EV charging is a thing, and it sounds like the best solution to going 100% green.
Now let’s break down the technicality behind it. How this might actually work.
How Solar EV Charging Works
Solar-based EV charging systems are not only environmentally friendly but also technologically innovative.
Here’s a detailed look at how they work:
Solar Panels Capture Sunlight
The process begins with photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, which convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. The efficiency of these panels has increased dramatically over the years, with the majority of modern panels achieving over 20% efficiency—meaning they convert 20% of sunlight into usable electricity.
Inverters Convert DC to AC
Once the sunlight is captured as DC electricity, an inverter converts this DC power into alternating current (AC), the type of electricity required by most EV chargers.
Read our AC vs DC Charging in EV guide, which briefs exactly how converters inside your EV put stress on your battery if you usually use fast charging.
Advanced inverters are now capable of achieving 98% efficiency, ensuring that very little energy is lost during the conversion process.
Grid-Tied vs. Off-Grid Systems
Solar-based EV charging systems can either be grid-tied or off-grid.
In grid-tied systems, any excess solar power generated during the day can be fed back into the grid, while drawing from the grid when solar generation is insufficient.
Off-grid systems, on the other hand, rely solely on solar energy and battery storage.
For example, a Tesla Powerwall can store 13.5 kWh of energy, enough to power a standard EV charger and provide full-range charging for most electric vehicles overnight.
Energy Storage Solutions
As solar power is an intermittent resource—available only during the day—energy storage solutions are essential.
Batteries like the LG Chem RESU or Tesla Powerwall are increasingly being paired with solar systems to store excess energy generated during peak sunlight hours.
A point to note is that pairing solar systems with battery storage can increase renewable energy self-consumption by up to 50-70%, ensuring that EVs can be charged reliably even during cloudy periods or at night.
What Does The Future of Green Electric Vehicles look like?
As the world moves towards greener transportation, several innovations are emerging that could help make electric vehicles and their charging infrastructure even more sustainable.
Here are two key areas of development that hold the potential to transform how EVs are powered.
Can Self-Charging EVs Using Pre-Installed Solar Panels Work?
The idea of a self-charging electric vehicle, where the car generates its electricity through integrated solar panels, is no longer a distant dream. While the technology is still in its infancy, some manufacturers have made notable progress in this field.
For example, Lightyear, a Dutch startup, has been developing a solar-powered electric car called the Lightyear One.
This vehicle is equipped with solar panels on its roof and hood, which can generate up to 12 km of range per hour in optimal sunlight conditions. Over the course of a sunny day, the car can generate enough energy to cover 50-70 km, which may not fully eliminate the need for external charging but significantly reduce dependency on the grid.
Similarly, Aptera, a California-based company, claims that their solar-powered vehicle can run up to 64 km per day purely on solar energy.
Indian EV startups like Prian Energy have also made strides in providing highly efficient home EV charging stations at affordable costs.
While these solar EVs are still limited by the amount of energy solar panels can generate, the potential for scaling up is promising.
As solar panel efficiency continues to improve, we could see more self-sustaining electric vehicles capable of meeting a significant portion of their energy needs independently.
This not only reduces grid dependency but also provides a viable solution for regions with limited charging infrastructure.
Incorporating this technology into commercial fleets could lead to major environmental benefits.
For instance, delivery vehicles and public transportation systems could significantly reduce operational costs and carbon emissions by utilizing solar technology.
Transforming to a 100% Renewable Energy Grid
The future of electric mobility hinges on the transition to a 100% renewable energy grid.
Without this, even the most advanced EV technologies will continue to rely on a grid that is partially powered by fossil fuels.
Countries around the world are taking significant strides toward this goal, but there is still a long way to go.
For example, Germany has set ambitious targets to achieve 80% renewable energy by 2030 and to phase out coal by 2038. The country’s investment in wind and solar energy has already transformed its grid, with renewables providing over 59.7% of its electricity as of 2023.
Similarly, California is aiming for 100% clean energy by 2045, driven by significant investments in solar, wind, and battery storage technologies.
In the UK, renewable energy made up 41.4% of electricity generation in 2022, largely driven by offshore wind farms, contributing to 26.8%. The nation plans to fully decarbonize its power grid by 2035. This kind of commitment will be essential for making EVs truly green across the entire lifecycle, from production to charging.
Incorporating energy storage into the grid will also play a crucial role in this transition. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming more common, allowing excess renewable energy to be stored during periods of high generation and released when demand is higher.
This ensures a stable and consistent energy supply, even when renewable sources like solar and wind are not actively generating power.
Additionally, smart grid technologies, which allow for more efficient energy distribution and consumption management, will further enhance the viability of an all-renewable future.
These innovations are key to ensuring that both homes and businesses can reliably charge EVs using green electricity.
Summing Up
Green electric vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce global carbon emissions, but they are not without their challenges.
From the environmental impact of lithium mining and battery production to the grid’s reliance on fossil fuels, there are several hurdles to overcome before EVs can truly be considered 100% green.
That said, the path forward is clear.
To minimize the carbon footprint of EVs, both manufacturers and consumers need to invest in greener solutions.
Solar-based EV charging presents one of the most promising ways to achieve this goal, providing clean, renewable energy for vehicle charging while reducing grid dependency.
Moreover, innovations like self-charging EVs and the global transition to a renewable energy grid hold the potential to make electric vehicles even greener in the future.
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