The Tesla Model S Apparently Puts Out More Whole-Life Emissions Than A Petrol Supermini

The topic of whole-life emissions is a hot potato when it comes to electric cars, which often require very dirty production methods. A new MIT study has proven what EV makers don't want to hear... sort of
The Tesla Model S Apparently Puts Out More Whole-Life Emissions Than A Petrol Supermini

Oh dear. The electric-powered Tesla Model S has been found to produce more whole-life carbon dioxide than a petrol supermini.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which whom Lamborghini is working on future battery tech, studied a group of cars’ production methods, exhaust emissions, potential for recycling and any emissions produced by power plants for the quantity of electricity required, if any.

The Tesla Model S Apparently Puts Out More Whole-Life Emissions Than A Petrol Supermini

While the researchers say that emissions from distant power plants are the lesser of two evils when it comes to city centres, the Model S was responsible for 226g/km of CO2 during its lifetime compared to just 192g/km for the humble Mitsubishi Mirage supermini.

Admittedly, we know which one of the two we’d rather put on our driveways, but 34g/km is a significant difference. It’s fresh evidence to back the theory that electric cars are actually no cleaner overall than small petrol ones, although we’d like to see a fairer-looking comparison between, say, a Nissan Leaf and a Volkswagen Golf.

The Tesla Model S Apparently Puts Out More Whole-Life Emissions Than A Petrol Supermini

Against a more comparable car, the BMW 750 xDrive, the Model S was reportedly some 159g/km better for the planet over its entire several hundred thousand kilometre lifetime.

It also matters how the Model S in the study gets its energy. In the American Midwest, it may be coal-fired power stations. Parts of northern Europe, for example, are now heavily supplied by renewables. The argument will rumble on…

Source: Auto Express

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Comments

Monty4248

[deleted]

11/09/2017 - 19:55 |
0 | 2
Anonymous

I think the resurgence of EVs is to do with the issue of air pollution in major cities. Also, not everyone is going to buy a £100k+ Tesla Model S - the research would have been far more useful with an obtainable car like the Zoe or Leaf, something the run of the mill motorist would actually buy.

11/09/2017 - 20:43 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

Lol, I found Beirtbart of auto sites. Please don’t do propaganda and use selective facts from MIT study. You can argue ANY fact is you cherry pick facts you like.
BTW, this argument of EV not being clean has been debunked multiple times. It’s such a known fact that to say otherwise means you are pushing a vested interest. Google this

11/09/2017 - 21:19 |
8 | 0
Monty4248

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Thank you

11/10/2017 - 01:16 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

No shit Sherlock, a gigantic luxurious sedan is more polluting than a micro city car.

11/09/2017 - 22:59 |
4 | 0
Monty4248

Take these in consideration

  • The affects of the mining, transport, refining, and storing of gasoline are not included

  • study claims that this is not at all universally applicable.

  • study was done in an already carbon heavy area in the mid-west U.S., and in other locations, the model S was cleaner

  • Model S was still cleaner than the 7 series, which was also tested

Not here to discredit the study, but this aforementioned information should have been stated, or talked about more. The way it is presented here, it is made to look like the model S is always going to be dirtier, which is false. If you read the article on Auto Express, you will get a better description of the study.

11/10/2017 - 01:14 |
6 | 0
George p

Internal combustion for life!

11/10/2017 - 02:05 |
4 | 6

for death*

11/10/2017 - 14:59 |
2 | 2
Anonymous

I’d say it’s Apple vs Oranges, but it’s actually watermelon vs a grape.
As pointed out, it depends on where your electricity comes from. Petrol will continue to come from the same place and spew out the same emissions.
Let us suppose that Mr or Ms Tesla buyer only charges their car at their solar and/or wind powered home…
Lets go further and assume they have battery storage, maybe be specific and say they went for a flow battery…
All calculations must be shown, off you go.

11/10/2017 - 04:44 |
2 | 0
Matthew Henderson

And thus, you buy an actual car.

11/10/2017 - 07:29 |
2 | 6
Matthew Henderson

And now imagine how much better you’re off getting a Mazda.

11/10/2017 - 07:30 |
2 | 6
Anonymous

[DELETED]

11/10/2017 - 08:27 |
0 | 6
H5SKB4RU (Returned to CT)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

QianLi

Did the link i gave you to track the bots work?

11/10/2017 - 14:44 |
2 | 0