Electric cars 'could harm climate'
Updated on 12 November 2009
Unless changes are made to the way electricity is generated, electric cars are likely to increase emissions and damage the environment, the Environmental Transport Association warns.
A report by the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said that although there were potential environmental benefits from switching to electric cars they would be counter-productive if energy production does not change.
A global switch to electric cars may not necessarily reduce CO2 emissions or dependence on oil, the report said.
Under the current EU emissions trading system sales of electric cars were likely to result in higher overall CO2 emissions and oil consumption.
It was unlikely that electric vehicles would number more than 25 per cent of new sales by 2050, the report added.
ETA director Andrew Davis said: "While the report is not intended to dampen enthusiasm for electric vehicles, their introduction should not be viewed as a panacea. Significant changes to the way we produce and tax power are needed before we will reap any benefits."
In order to combat the problem the report recommends that CO2 emission standards for cars should be considerably tightened and fuel taxes increased.
It said that a lack of stringent CO2 standards removed the main incentive for the motor industry to invest in electric vehicles.
