India stands at the crossroads of an environmental revolution, with an escalating focus on decarbonisation and sustainable transportation. The shift from conventional ICE vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) is perceived as a monumental stride toward curbing carbon emissions. However, a closer inspection of the present scenario might astound us. In this blog post, I will meticulously compare the CO2 emissions of efficient petrol and diesel cars with the current generation of EVs in India, spotlighting a pivotal but often overlooked factor—the carbon footprint of the electricity grid.
The Green Grid Illusion:
Despite being heralded as eco-friendly alternatives, the
carbon footprint of EVs heavily hinges on the electricity source. In India,
where coal-fired power plants still dominate the energy landscape, the
electricity grid is far from being entirely eco-conscious. Despite strides in
renewable energy, a substantial chunk of India's electricity is derived from
fossil fuels, leading to CO2 emissions.
Analysing the Grid:
|
|
Total |
Avg. Co2 emission |
Co2 emission |
Co2 emission factor |
|
|
Generation 22-23 |
factor |
|
of Indian Grid |
|
|
(Billion Units) |
(Kg Co2e/kwh) |
(MT) |
Kg
Co2/Kwh |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coal & Lignite |
1078 |
0.95 |
1024.1 |
|
|
Oil |
115 |
0.75 |
86.25 |
|
|
Gas |
37 |
0.54 |
19.98 |
|
|
Nuclear |
47 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Hydro |
161 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Solar |
74 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Wind |
69 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Bio-Mass |
16 |
0.9 |
14.4 |
|
|
Others |
3 |
0.8 |
2.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
1600 |
|
1147.13 |
0.72 |
Efficient ICE Cars and Common EVs
While BS VI emission standards target only pollutants like
NOx, PM, HC, and CO,however these stringent limits encourage
the adoption of efficient technologies, leading to reduced CO2 output per km. Currently,
an efficient Strong Hybrod petrol car producing 2.64 kg of CO2 per litre and covering 25 km
per litre emits approximately 0.105 kg of CO2 per km. Similarly, an efficient
diesel car emitting 2.39 kg of CO2 per litre and running 20 km per litre emits
0.12 kg of CO2 per km.
Conversely, numerous popular EVs in India actually offer an
average range of 6-7 km per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity. Given an
electricity grid emitting 0.72 kg of CO2 per kWh, these EVs emit approximately
0.102 -0.12 kg of CO2 per km. These emission figures are remarkably close to
their petrol counterparts.
The Surprising Equivalence:
When comparing the CO2 emissions of efficient Strong Hybrid petrol cars
(0.105 kg CO2/km) and common EVs in India (0.102-0.12 kg CO2/km) in light of the
current grid's emission factor, the numbers are almost identical. This
startling parity underscores the urgency of addressing the electricity grid's
carbon footprint, a facet often overshadowed by the spotlight on EVs.
Conclusion:
Undoubtedly, EVs hold the key to a sustainable future, but
their impact on reducing CO2 emissions is only as potent as the environmental
friendliness of the grid powering them. As India progresses toward a greener
tomorrow, accelerating the shift to renewable energy sources is imperative,
rendering the grid genuinely eco-friendly. Moreover, enhancing the efficiency
of EVs is essential. Only then can EVs realize their full potential as
low-emission alternatives, making a substantial impact in the fight against climate
change. Understanding the intricate relationship between vehicles and the grid
is pivotal for informed decisions that guide us toward a truly sustainable
future.