Emissions

Some argue that committing to an EV-only future is premature. They highlight the human and environmental cost of mining some of the metals required for EV batteries, as well as the high carbon emissions of EV production and electricity generation in many markets. Confused? We investigate and explain...

- By Graham Eagle

Electric vs. internal combustion engine vehicles

The 2015 UN Climate Change Conference in Paris - where 197 countries agreed to limit global warming to less than 1,5°C-resulted in many governments considerably tightening existing vehicle emission limits and setting progressively stricter limits into the future. Vehicle manufacturers had achieved earlier emission targets by increasing the use of turbocharged diesel engines, moving to downsized, turbocharged petrol engines and the increased use of hybridisation. Volume production of hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) had been led by Toyota, initially with the Prius as far back as 1997. This has recently expanded with several manufacturers now using 48 volt mild-hybrid systems or plug-in hybrid systems, to reduce the emissions of current ICE vehicles.

However, as certain markets - key among them Europe, China, USA and Japan-further reduced tailpipe emission limits and some announced future limitations and bans on the sale of ICE vehicles, it became clear a move to zero tailpipe emission vehicles would be required.

Volvo has launched its XC40 Recharge EV in South Africa. The Swedish manufacturer's global plan is to move to become a fully electric car company by 2030.

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