Diesel cars are more environmentally friendly than their lithium-ion battery counterparts, according to a new study.

Swiss government research lab EMPA conducted tests which showed that the manufacture and disposal of batteries presents no obstacle to the concept of electric-powered motoring.

However, the group also concluded that there is also a major eco-burden involved in the burning of coal or gas to produce electricity which is not required by diesel vehicles.

"It is the operation phase that remains the dominant contributor to the environmental burden caused by transport service as long as the electricity for the [battery car] is not produced by renewable hydropower," read one section of the report.

"A break even analysis shows that an [internal combustion engined vehicle] would need to consume less than 3.9 litres/100km to cause lower [environmental impacts] than a [battery car]."

The study, which appears in the American Chemical Society journal and is entitled Contribution of Li-Ion Batteries to the Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicles, noted that consumptions in this range are already achieved by some small diesel cars.

According to the EMPA, a small estate car such as a Skoda Fabia is more environmentally friendly vehicle than a battery-powered Volkswagen Golf.

Meanwhile, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders revealed recently that sales of diesel vehicles in the UK have outstripped those of petrol models for the first time.

According to the body's figures, new diesel registrations accounted for a record 50.6 per cent share of the market in July.

Source:



Diesels greener than battery cars, says Swiss gov report (31/08/10)

© Adfero Ltd