In my last post, I posed a big question: Should I buy an EV? My current car, a 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander, has served me well for nearly six years since I bought it second-hand. However, it's reaching the costly phase of its life, and I've been anticipating this expense for some time now. So, the burning question remains: Should I go for an ICE, a hybrid, or an EV?
First, let's recap some road transport facts:
Globally transport makes up ¬17% of total emissions [1], with around 12% from road transport (60/40 split of passenger travel to freight),
In Australia, transport is 20% of our total emissions, with 10% of Aus's total emissions [2] coming from 'light vehicles' on the road - cars, 4x4s, SUVs and small commercial vehicles.
Australia's Transport sector has the highest growth in emissions (it just keeps climbing when it should be going the other way).
Australia is the second worst emitter (after Saudi Arabia) for per capita transport emissions.
Average emissions intensity for new passenger vehicles sold in Australia is 45% higher than in Europe. Why? We prefer heavier vehicles with more powerful engines, there are fewer government incentives for lower emissions vehicles and relatively lower fuel prices in compared with Europe. [2]
Australia has around 20.1 million registered vehicles (our population is 26 million), with an average vehicle age of 10.6 years. [4] The average age is an issue as newer vehicles are more likely to have been built to higher standards of fuel efficiency (and hence produce lower emissions), by as much as 50%.
Which mode?
This handy pic from the Insititute for Public Transport gives an at-a-glance view of the footprint of driving a standard ICE vehicle, versus car sharing (dual occupancy), trains, buses and an EV fully powered from renewable generation. This is all indicative and will vary with make and model but the relativity is important here.
You know, making a switch to a lower emissions vehicle, such as downsizing from an SUV or ute or buying a newer car, can yield similar results to car-sharing. That's pretty good, right?
However, those results pale in comparison to the environmental impact of hopping on public transport or driving an electric vehicle (EV) powered by renewable energy. Public transport can reduce your emissions to as low as an eighth or tenth compared to driving alone.
According to the International Energy Agency [5], "the electrification of road vehicles is the most promising pathway to increasing conversion efficiencies and reducing greenhouse gas emissions." This is especially important considering that over half of the world's population resides in cities. So, to achieve a net-zero future, we need transport policies that promote "mode shift," which involves transitioning from one form of transport to another. For example, swapping from driving to catching the train. By reducing unnecessary travel and electrifying the remaining transportation, we can make significant progress towards net-zero emissions.
Achieving this vision requires thoughtful urban planning, including the reclamation of safe cycling and walking paths from current road systems. It also calls for the widespread electrification of public transport while maintaining high standards of accessibility.
By embracing these strategies, we can create greener and more sustainable cities, reducing our carbon footprint and contributing to a cleaner future for generations to come.
What's my preferred mode of transport?
You might wonder then why I'm not simply opting for more public transport or cycling instead of going all out on a new car.
Now, I could come up with a range of valid excuses, like the distances being too far to walk or cycle, or the fact that I have to drop off and pick up the kids from school because they're too young to take the bus on their own. That I don't live near friends on the school run to carpool.
The same goes for their activities, which are often inconveniently located away from public transport or in different places each week, such as weekend sports. Sometimes, I find myself racing between work, school, and the kids' activities, leaving no time to catch public transport.
These reasons may resonate with some people while not with others. They certainly touch upon areas of privilege, like being able to afford kids' activities and public parking. Mostly, they highlight choices that have led to convenience in my lifestyle that would be hard to live without. Like having time for breakfast together as a family and being able to work enough hours to cover my mortgage. It would simply take too long to rely solely on public transport and fit in all the activities—school, work, sports—within an average week. If I didn't have to work, perhaps we would have more time to take the bus, but that's not a practical outcome right now (mortgages, cost of living). As the kids grow older, our daily commute may involve more buses and trains, but we're still a few years away from that point, and we would still need to drive for certain activities, sports, and weekend grocery shopping.
So yes, for my circumstances, swapping from an ICE older vehicle to a new Electric Vehicle is the best way to bring my annual transport emissions down for now - with an expectation I can transition the daily commute to public transport or cycling by 2028 (kids will be in high school and catching the bus or cycling themselves) and make even further reductions.
EV or Hybrid?
Considering the age of my car (12 years, built to Euro 4 standards which the world has moved far away from), it emits higher levels of pollution compared to modern vehicles, contributing to both air pollution from its exhaust and carbon emissions from fuel use.
Now, the good news is that I have solar panels, and I live in a state that's progressively shifting towards a greater proportion of renewable energy generation. This means that the electricity used to charge my vehicle should have a higher share of renewables in its "fuel mix" for charging compared to the coal-heavy Victorian grid in the example above.
EVs offer many environmental benefits and are a better long-term choice. However, the truth is that ICE vehicles currently have a cleaner production process, even though EVs have a significantly cleaner operational stage (no tailpipe emissions). Hybrids, on the other hand, fall somewhere in the middle for both. As more technologically advanced vehicles, their manufacturing process and components may have higher emissions compared to standard ICE vehicles. However, their emissions from driving are lower than those of traditional ICE vehicles. It's a bit of a Mindy Sinclair option, so why settle for halfway? For me the logic of going halfway when I am facing down the rare occasion of buying a new car doesn't stack up.
You can compare tailpipe and lifecycle fuel CO2 emissions for various vehicles (ICE vs Hybrid vs EV) here: Compare Vehicle | Green Vehicle Guide.
What factors have I considered in an EV?
This one is pretty simple - price and distance. I've never bought a car over $30k and I'd be mad to give up the Government's $3.5k incentive for EV's under $70k. That's the upper limit. Yet EV's are still a relatively new product with some manufacturers, so I don't necessarily want the cheapest brand on the market that is still ironing out the kinks for what is a high-tech piece of kit. I'm thinking $55k - $70k from my research of (relatively) more affordable EVs.
Distance. I don't necessarily need the longest range as more range = more/larger batteries = more weight = more charging. But it does need to get us comfortably down to visit friends in Manjimup - around 300km, so to be comfortable getting there with plenty of contingency on one charge, thinking about 350-400km range.
Charging. Some manufacturers have their own charging standard / cables. It's the Apple v Android thing all over again. Check out my post on other thoughts in transport where I discuss this issue. Given charging stations are not too prolific yet, I just want to focus on an easy to charge at home option as the main criteria.
EV's on the list
So many sites say the Tesla 3 is the best value EV under $70k right now. I was worried it would be too small (compared to driving an SUV these last five years) so we went for a test drive. I am worried I may have previously been too vocal on my thoughts of this brand's CEO as the kids actually refused to support a Tesla purchse. That was until we went for the drive. Once they came on the test drive they went from ‘no’ to ‘you must buy this car immediately’. The regenerative braking was a little tricky but actually quite a nice safety feature once you got used to it (with regenerative braking – a feature common in EVs and Hybrids – the car starts braking once you lift your foot off the accelerator, so you can’t ‘coast’ like you would in an ICE).
It was small though - not inside, it still felt spacious enough and with room for storage and backseat fine. It was the height - seeing past the other SUVs and 4WDs on the road in Perth does make turning in dual lane traffic annoying and the Y model, with its extra height, would be better. Of course, this is because I was still trying to drive the car myself - all of the sensors actually show you surrounding cars on the central screen which is a touch disconcerting at first.
Other models that came up in various recommended lists were the BYD Atto 3 and the Hyundai Kona - both small SUVs. All the models were fine with distance (ranging from 420km to 491km). Why didn't I consider the Leaf? If I'm going all out on a brand new car for such a huge chunk of cash, I want the specs to go with it and the Leaf is a little boring?
The BYD is much bigger on the inside, sits higher and is a good $10k cheaper than the Tesla. A concern though is despite its recent popularity, good safety ratings and affordability, it just hasn't been around long enough to prove reliable service or customer support.
I looked into the Hyundai Kona then realised how small it's back seat was - not 'teenage-worthy' which is my longevity test for any major purchase.
I want a Tesla. I have one more test drive to do this week before making a call on the favourite. While new models of EVs are always coming out (and will no doubt be better a couple of years from now) there are great discounts at present, like the $345 million Electric Car Discount Bill, exempting eligible electric cars from fringe benefits tax (FBT) and the 5% import tariff, in Western Australia there are further Government rebates ($3,500 if you can stay under the $70k price tag) and I have to get onto something new before my existing car continues to kill me with thousands of costs every service.
Except. The cost of living is catching up and I’m a little concerned reading that interest rates have a few raises left in them to go. I wanted to buy under a novated lease option, and if I can find the cash in my monthly paycheck then the tax savings make it worth it but I’m super concerned that things will get tight over the three yeas of the lease.
Stay tuned next post as I re-run all my numbers with real life quotes and make the call.
Reducing road transport emissions recap
We Australians contribute a significant amount to our overall carbon emissions through transport, with my personal carbon footprint exceeding 3 tonnes of CO2e per year, mainly from my daily commute.
What the Government is doing
The government has taken some positive steps, such as removing fringe benefits tax on electric vehicles (EVs), providing rebates on EVs in certain states, and allocating $275.4 million over 6 years to the Driving the Nation Fund. This fund aims to reduce transport emissions by investing in initiatives like electric vehicle charging infrastructure and hydrogen highways.
What I'd like to see more of
We need a stronger focus on policies and urban planning criteria that prioritize safer and more accessible lower-emission modes of transport, such as walking, cycling, and electrified public transport. These options offer significant emissions reduction potential and provide a greater bang for the buck in transitioning individuals from driving to public transport.
Additionally, we should push for more stringent and mandatory greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles. This shift away from our current position as the highest emitting vehicles in the developed world would be a positive step towards a greener future.
What individuals need to do
It's crucial to recognize that government policies, regulations, and incentives are all aimed at changing individual and corporate behavior. Road transport emissions are heavily influenced by the choices we make as individuals.
So, where possible, let's embrace mode shift. Opt for lower-emission forms of transport like car-sharing, taking the bus or train, and walking or cycling on weekends. It's not only better for the environment but also offers a chance to socialize and enjoy a change of scenery.
If you're in a position to upgrade or replace your old car, consider the environmental impact. Although it may not be feasible for everyone, those who can afford it are often among the higher emitters. So, why not consider an EV?
And if you're contemplating a hybrid, think about going all the way to zero tailpipe emissions instead.
You can also make a difference by petitioning your local council to improve public transport options, create more cycleways, or support better transport alternatives in your area. Websites like Bicycle Network can provide valuable information on lobbying and supporting a safer riding network. The Climate Council also offers advice and examples on writing effective letters to your MP: How to Write an Effective Letter to your MP | Climate Council.
Wishing you the best of luck with your sustainable changes! I've personally been sticking to my goal of commuting via public transport on Thursdays and Fridays, and I'm hopeful that these efforts will help me reduce tonnes of CO2 emissions. Perhaps an EV purchase will be on the horizon soon!
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