A new study conducted by scientists from the University of Turku (Finland) revealed a paradoxical fact: electric car owners leave more large carbon footprint than those who drive conventional CNG cars.
Despite the environmental benefits of electric transportation, the researchers found that the higher incomes and corresponding lifestyles of electric car owners lead to an increase in their overall carbon footprint.
The study, published in PLOS Climate, analyzed data from the CLIMATE NUDGE survey of more than 3,800 people.
The results show that EV owners tend to be wealthier and more educated than the average consumer and drive more kilometers per year. So their carbon footprint remains higher than average because they use more energy, buy more goods and travel more.
Researchers note that despite the lack of direct emissions from electric vehicles, their owners often consume energy produced by coal-fired power plants, which ultimately increases the overall carbon footprint.
The study highlights the importance of an integrated approach to solving the problem of climate change, which must take into account not only technological innovation, but also changes in the overall consumption of resources.