The use of electric vehicles has been a pillar of decarbonization and reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in many countries around the world. However, according to a recent study published by researchers from the University of the Caribbean (UNICARIBE), its Research Center CAYEI and the Colombian University Politécnico Grancolombiano, at the International Symposium on Electromobility 2024, held by the renowned university Tecnológico de Monterrey and published in IEEE. The use of an electric vehicle does not represent a reduction in GHG emissions compared to the use of hybrid vehicles.

This article explores how electric and hybrid vehicles can help reduce pollution, but with a clear idea: their environmental impact depends on how each country produces its electricity.

An electric vehicle needs to charge its battery, but if that electricity comes from burning fuels like coal, oil or gas, we are not really solving the GHG emission problem, we are just moving it from one place to another. This is what happens in the Dominican Republic, where most of the electricity comes from plants that use fossil fuels. Here, electric vehicles and hybrids end up having a very similar environmental impact. To illustrate this scenario, let us consider three countries with different energy production than ours.

Colombia, a country where most of the electricity is generated from clean sources, such as hydroelectric plants that use water to generate energy. In this case, electric vehicles reduce pollution by up to 77% compared to hybrids. This shows that the source of electricity changes everything.

In Germany, although they use more renewable energy, they still rely heavily on coal, which limits the environmental benefits of electric vehicles. Sweden, on the other hand, is like the ideal model: with its electricity coming from renewable and clean sources, electric vehicles generate almost no pollution, reducing emissions by up to 97%.

“Recharging an electric vehicle with energy from burning fossil fuels is like wanting to fill a bucket with clean water, but using a hose that is still polluted.” UNICARIBE researchers state.

The central message of this study is clear: electric vehicles are not a magic bullet. For them to really make a difference, countries must improve how they produce their electricity. This means betting on renewable sources such as solar, wind or hydro or clean sources such as nuclear energy. In addition, a comprehensive infrastructure project that includes an adequate network of charging stations.

For more information, please refer to the original publication in IEEE:
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10786775

Authors:
Ing. Julián Peña – Director of the Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Management and Renewable Energies.
Dr. Ricardo Ramírez – Vice Rector for Strategy and Growth.