Fact check: Are electric cars the key to the mobility revolution?

Electric cars and their potential advantages and disadvantages are currently omnipresent in media coverage. Are electric cars really the step towards a sustainable mobility transition? This is the question many people are asking themselves. We get to the bottom of the matter and have summarized the most important questions and answers on the subject for you.
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Do e-cars really bring the hoped-for environmental benefits?

In short: Yes! Compared to petrol and diesel vehicles, electric cars offer clear advantages in terms of their eco-balance. It is important for this assessment to consider the entire life cycle of the vehicle, i.e. from manufacture to disposal. The energy source used to charge the electric car is essential for a positive life cycle assessment. If 100% of the electricity comes from renewable energy sources, electric cars generate up to 79% fewer greenhouse gas emissions over the course of their vehicle life than other motor vehicles (source: Federal Environment Agency study). E-cars are therefore an important building block, if not THE building block, for achieving the EU’s climate targets.

E-cars produce up to 79% less greenhouse gas emissions over their life cycle.

What raw materials are needed for electromobility?

A frequently discussed topic in the field of e-mobility concerns the raw materials required for the production of electric cars. It is clear that different raw materials are required for all vehicles, regardless of their drive type. While hydrocarbons, which are currently produced from crude oil, are required for the operation of combustion engines, copper, lithium and cobalt in particular are central to the production of electric cars. Here it is very important to understand that the energy storage system, i.e. the battery, has made significant progress in recent years in terms of its raw material requirements. For example, the cobalt content has been reduced from approx. 30% to 10% (NMC111 to NMC811). Furthermore, new chemical compositions such as lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are being used, which do not require cobalt. New generations without lithium salts are already being developed and produced that do not require any lithium at all. It is clear that high demand for raw materials always brings with it challenges in terms of ecological and social structures. Therefore, the same applies to electric cars: smaller vehicle = less consumption of resources!

Is the existing e-charging infrastructure sufficient to meet the increasing demand for charging options?

The current charging infrastructure for electric vehicles still has room for improvement. Although numerous efforts are already being made to create more e-charging points, rural regions in particular are still inadequately supplied. For a successful mobility transition, it is therefore also crucial to expand the e-charging infrastructure at both national and international level. The basis for this has already been created through standardized charging plugs for direct and alternating current charging. Public and private e-charging stations play an important role in this. You can find tips on charging your e-car at home in our article “Charging your e-car at home”.

How many kilometers can I currently drive with an electric car?

How far you can drive with your electric car depends on the vehicle type and battery capacity. Ranges generally vary between 200 and 650 kilometers, depending on the model and battery size. On average, a modern electric car can cover a distance of 400 kilometers on a single charge before the next charging station needs to be visited.

The ranges of electric cars currently vary between 200 and 650 kilometers per electric charge.

What state subsidies are available for the purchase of e-cars?

Depending on the country, there are different incentives for switching to an e-car. In Austria, for example, various subsidies are currently available for the purchase of e-vehicles. Funding is available for the purchase of e-cars, e-mopeds, e-motorcycles, e-light vehicles and applications can also be submitted for e-charging infrastructure. You can find more information on the various funding opportunities here: umweltfoerderung.at

Is an electric car economical compared to a gasoline or diesel vehicle?

The total cost of an electric car is similar to the cost of raw materials. The higher acquisition costs of approx. 10,000 for a vehicle in the compact class are amortized after approx. 4 years of operation. It is therefore important to consider the running costs. Lower energy costs for operation, lower maintenance costs for wearing parts and lower insurance costs due to tax concessions should be taken into account. Many providers try to make these higher acquisition costs comparable for the consumer in the form of leasing models. Even today, an electric car reaches break-even after approx. 4 years without state purchase subsidies.

How safe are electric cars in terms of accidents? Keyword battery fires?

Reports of electric cars burning on the highway can be unsettling. Are electric cars more dangerous than conventional cars? Figures from the Austrian Road Safety Board (KFV) from 2023 show that 32,022 car drivers were involved in accidents in Austria. 96 percent of them were driving a conventionally powered car (petrol, diesel, gas). 2 percent of those involved in an accident were driving an electric car, and another 2 percent were driving a hybrid car. According to statistics, five out of 10,000 cars cause a vehicle fire after an accident. The difficulty with an e-car fire lies in extinguishing the battery. This is often difficult for the relevant fire departments to reach. However, due to increased safety standards and new approval requirements, there are already significant improvements that are constantly being incorporated into new products.

Is the switch to e-mobility enough to drive forward the sustainable mobility transition and achieve the climate targets?

Electromobility plays a central role in the transformation towards sustainable mobility. It can make a significant contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions, especially if it is powered by renewable energies. However, simply switching to e-cars is not enough to fully achieve the EU’s climate targets.

A comprehensive strategy is needed to drive forward the mobility transition: the expansion of local and long-distance public transport must be accelerated, as must the creation of attractive alternatives to private transport, for example through the expansion of cycle paths and pedestrian zones. Car-sharing services and new mobility solutions such as ride-sharing or e-scooter systems can also help to relieve traffic congestion and reduce CO₂ emissions. Ultimately, it’s about rethinking the entire transport system – fewer cars on the roads, more climate-friendly alternatives and an infrastructure that makes sustainable mobility accessible to everyone.

Conclusion: e-mobility as an important part of the mobility transition

Electric cars are a key component of the sustainable mobility transition and offer significant environmental benefits compared to cars with conventional engine systems, especially when they are powered by renewable electricity. They significantly reduce CO₂ emissions compared to conventional vehicles and therefore contribute to achieving climate targets. Overall, however, the entire transport system , including public transport, car sharing and the like, must be rethought in order to achieve the desired progress towards sustainable mobility.

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