The Swedish automaker Volvo in its commitment to the environment, compared its C40 Recharge electric car to its gasoline-powered XC40 model.

Zero-Emission EVs also leave a carbon footprint, though it is reduced over the vehicles’ lifespan when compared with fossil-fueled vehicles.

Volvo obtained this information by comparing several variables.

What is this study about?

To get this data, Volvo compared the emissions generated by its C40 Recharge electric car with the fossil-fueled XC40 by benchmarking stages such as manufacturing, transit, and solid waste management.

Volvo found out that the C40 Recharge generates more emissions than the XC40 during manufacturing and assembly.

According to this study, Li-Ion battery manufacturing generate more than 5 tons of CO₂. This number is higher due to its considering aluminum components, since this metal requires more energy to transform.

However, when calculating the carbon footprint on a 120-mile travel benchmark per vehicle, the EV becomes more sustainable than the fossil-fueled one at the 30-mile mark.

This is because the C40 Recharge is a Zero Emission Vehicle in transit, and its carbon footprint comes when re-charging. Volvo made this study considering the following scenarios:

• If electricity comes from 60% fossil fuels, such as natural gas.

• When the electricity complies with the EU standards.

• When electricity comes from renewable sources only.

Thanks to this study, we know that EVs also have a carbon footprint whose impact could be reduced during its lifespan by using electricity from renewable sources. Energy transition is a study and information as well.

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