FLOSSI: A VROOM WITH A FUME
Porsche has announced plans to continue producing vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICEs). The company invested approximately €800 million in a recent strategic shift into developing new combustion engines and plug-in hybrid models. This decision comes amid a decline in demand for fully electric vehicles, leading Porsche to adjust its product lineup to include more ICE and hybrid options.
This move represents a change from Porsche's earlier focus on electrification. The company had previously aimed for a significant portion of its sales to be electric by 2030. However, recent market trends and consumer preferences have prompted Porsche to reassess its strategy and reintroduce combustion engine models to meet customer demand and maintain profitability.
When evaluating the environmental impact of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles, factors beyond tailpipe emissions must be considered, including tire production and wear, infrastructure strain due to increased vehicle weight, and the manufacturing and installation of EV charging stations.
Tire Production and Wear
Increased Tire Wear: Due to their batteries, EVs are generally heavier than traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. This added weight and higher torque lead to faster tire wear, resulting in approximately 20% more particulate pollution from tires than ICE vehicles.
Manufacturing Emissions: Producing a new tire emits about 31 kg of CO₂, while retreading a tire produces approximately 22 kg of CO₂. The higher weight and performance demands of EVs may necessitate more frequent tire replacements, thereby increasing emissions from tire production.
Impact on Infrastructure
Road and Bridge Wear: The additional weight of EVs can contribute to increased wear on roads and bridges. For instance, a 2,000-pound increase in axle weight can cause 50% more damage to pavement. While heavy trucks are the primary contributors to road damage, the cumulative effect of heavier passenger vehicles could lead to higher maintenance costs over time.
Safety Considerations: EVs' increased weight poses challenges for existing safety infrastructure, such as guardrails and barriers, which are typically designed for lighter vehicles. This discrepancy may necessitate updates to safety standards and infrastructure to accommodate heavier vehicles.
Manufacturing and Installation of EV Charging Stations
Resource Consumption: The production and installation of EV charging stations require significant amounts of materials, including metals like copper. Extracting and processing these materials contribute to environmental impacts, such as habitat disruption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Infrastructure Development: The rapid deployment of charging infrastructure can lead to increased roadworks and potential disruptions. For example, in the UK, the accelerated installation of EV chargers has raised concerns about road quality and the need for resurfacing.
