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Electric vehicles (EVs) produce more pollution than cars running on petrol or diesel in the first few years of operation, scientists have found.
While they are usually marketed as the greener choice, there are massive energy costs associated with their production.
For the study, researchers from Duke University used a model that analyses the full scope of a vehicle's climate impact, including emissions from fuel production, battery manufacturing, vehicle assembly, and operation.
Their results revealed that battery–powered EVs actually produce 30 per cent more CO2 emissions in their first two years.
That means the initial impact on the climate from purchasing a new electric vehicle is actually higher than opting for a gas–guzzling alternative.
However, the tables turn by year three.
According to the experts, over a typical 18–year lifetime, electric vehicles result in a significant reduction in cumulative CO2 emissions.
'Internal combustion vehicles lead to about 2–3 times more damage than EVs when considering both climate and air quality,' said co–author Dr Drew Shindell.
One of the biggest appeals of electric cars is their green credentials.
EVs have zero tailpipe emissions, meaning they don't release CO2, nitrogen oxides, or other pollutants while driving.
However, many eco–conscious owners fail to take into account the lifecyle emissions from manufacturing.
Most notably, EVs use lithium in their batteries, which must be mined in countries like Australia, Chile, and China.
This mining process consumes massive amounts of energy and water, and can lead to dangerous water pollution if not done safely.
Processing this lithium and creating batteries is another intensely energy–hungry process that leads to yet more pollution.
Lead author Dr Pankaj Sadavarte, of Northern Arizona University, told Daily Mail: 'We found that lithium mining and battery manufacturing contribute approximately 50 per cent of the total CO2 emissions per vehicle in the first year.'
However, the study found that from two years onwards, petrol and diesel cars produce higher CO2 emissions.
Dr Sadavarte explained: 'Electric vehicles outperform fossil fuel vehicles in terms of environmental impact, particularly when evaluated over the same mileage and operated over a longer lifespan.'
Using a method to calculate the economic and social cost of pollution, the researchers found that a petrol or diesel car does about $1,605 (£1,214) worth of damage to the environment every year.
A comparable EV, meanwhile, does only $629 (£475) worth of damage each year across its lifespan.
Even if the car charged using energy exclusively produced by burning coal, an EV would only cause $815 (£616) worth of damage, half that of a petrol or diesel vehicle.
Dr Sadavarte does point out that if you drive your car less often, the lower levels of emissions mean that it would take longer for an EV to outperform its fossil fuel–burning rival.
Likewise, the authors note that the study didn't include 'end of life' costs for either battery EVs or internal combustion vehicles, such as scrapping the car or recycling batteries
Previous studies have shown that producing an electric car creates up to 70 per cent more emissions than the petrol equivalent.
That means electric cars need to be driven tens of thousands of miles before they offset the huge upfront cost.
For example, a VW e–Golf would need to be driven 77,000 miles before it worked out as better for the environment.
This has led to concerns that some EVs may never make good on their initial investment as drivers upgrade to newer models.
Additionally, EVs must still be charged using electricity that is often produced by burning coal – another major source of air pollution.
According to the researchers, this overall impact means that EVs have a larger carbon footprint for the first two years of their lifespan.
In fact, some studies suggest that EVs are not even technically 'emission–free'
Researchers from the University of Southampton found that brake pads commonly used in EVs produce emissions that are more toxic than diesel exhaust fumes.
These particles are 30 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair and are capable of slipping through the airways deep into the lungs' most sensitive tissues.
Although these particles are also created by internal combustion vehicles, since EVs are heavier, they tend to produce more 'non–exhaust pollution' as they brake.
This isn't the first time research has found that EV drivers are not as eco–friendly as they might like to think.
A study from the University of Turku, Finland, found that, on average, EV drivers actually have a bigger carbon footprint than drivers who own petrol or diesel cars.
Although their cars produce fewer emissions, the lavish lifestyles of wealthy EV drivers mean they contribute more to climate change.
The average EV owner churns out half a tonne more CO2 per year, with owners of the sportiest models producing almost two tonnes more pollution.