Lifecycle emissions calculations

The findings – and the methods used – highlight the need to look at reducing carbon emissions from vehicles throughout their lifecycle in addition to having agreed methodology for comparative purposes.

“The automotive industry is already taking positive steps to address this issue,” said Archer.

“The recent announcement by Toyota of a solar array to provide electricity to power the hybrid Auris production facility and wind power at the Nissan Leaf plant are excellent examples.”

But the LowCVP concedes that decarbonising electricity supply, through renewables, and the production of batteries will be essential for EVs to deliver ultra- low lifetime carbon emissions.

Battery development

Help is at hand. University of Leicester researchers are spearheading the development of a new type of sustainable zinc-based rechargeable battery.

Postgraduate researcher with the Department of Chemistry Claire Fullarton is focusing on a new type of prototype battery, which would offer an improved performance, safety and environmental sustainability.

“This research involves the development of a new class of fast rechargeable batteries based on a zinc-plastic system incorporating a novel, inexpensive, environmentally sustainable solvent,” she said.

EVs are ‘most promising option’

The wider uptake of electric vehicles is a key factor in the Government’s drive to decarbonise road transport, which is set against a backdrop of a legally binding target to cut UK overall emissions by 80% by 2050.

To put that in perspective, the UK produces 670 million tonnes of CO2, while that 2050 target equates to 160m tonnes.

However, the Department for Transport declined to comment on either the Low CVP report or the role EVs will play in de-carbonisation.

Dr David Kennedy, chief executive of the committee for climate change, believes the UK must aim for a 60% cut by 2030.

“Electric vehicles are probably the most promising option to decarbonise transport,” he told delegates at the Low CVP conference.

“Certainly, we should be developing hydrogen technology, but electric vehicles look more promising.”

Research released by MIB Data Solutions into the SME market found that just seven out of 1,000 fleets (0.7%) were operating electric vehicles.

Perhaps more surprisingly, only 18 fleets (1.8%) were operating hybrid vehicles.

The Government will spend £43m over the next year giving up to 8,600 people a grant of £5,000 towards the purchase price of an EV.

So far, just 465 cars have been delivered by the scheme.