How Green Are Electric Vehicles in Developing Countries?

This paper addresses the urgent challenges of escalating global warming, rapid ozone layer depletion, and persistent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions exacerbated by nations’ reluctance to limit industrial emissions for economic growth. This has prompted a global shift towards exploring alternative strategies for pollution mitigation, including transitioning from conventional power generation to sustainable energy resources and a move from gasoline-based transportation to electric vehicles (EVs). Particularly critical is the question of whether this transition genuinely yields environmental benefits, or if it potentially exacerbates existing challenges, especially in underdeveloped or developing countries heavily reliant on fossil fuel-generated electricity. The paper presents a concise comparative analysis between Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles (ICEVs), examining GHG emissions throughout their lifetimes, during manufacturing, and in terms of fuel consumption. Additionally, it explores the energy mix of developing countries compared to the global scenario, presenting results for the comparison between ICEVs and EVs using electricity from coal, gas, nuclear, and a balanced energy mix-dominated power system. The study identifies opportunities for improvement in EV adoption and emission mitigation strategies, offering valuable insights into sustainable practices and environmental conservation.