Travelling by electric car is second only to travelling by coach
for lowest direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions,
according to statistics released today by the Department for
Transport*.
A passenger trip by train is marginally less polluting but loses
out to EVs because of its direct CO2 emissions, of which an EV
has none. Direct emissions are produced by the type of transport
itself, indirect emissions cover CO2 from the production of the
fuel it uses. In the case of EVs, that is electricity generation.
The statistics also show that, in 2021, cars made up 75% of the
road vehicle miles travelled within the UK but produced 57% of
transport emissions, while HGVs made up a much smaller proportion
of the vehicle miles (6%) and their emissions were
disproportionately greater (21%).
“Today’s government statistics illustrate how EVs will eventually
transform the greenhouse gas profile of the private car in the
near future. The only impediment to further improvement is the
mix of electricity generation in the UK – more wind, solar and
tidal power will make car journeys even greener,” say Jack
Cousens, the AA’s head of roads policy.
“It will also make the cost of travel cheaper. As it is, the AA’s
Recharge Report** shows that powering an EV with an ultra-rapid
charger is cheaper per mile than fuelling with petrol.”
ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
* Transport and environment
statistics: 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
** AA EV Recharge Report
September 2023 | AA (theaa.com)
