Electric Vehicles and Carbon Footprint: Do They Really Make a Difference?

Electric vehicles (EVs) have become the face of a major transformation in the automotive world, largely driven by promises of reducing carbon emissions. However, it’s well known that the production of EVs—particularly their batteries—generates a significantly higher carbon footprint compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

Despite this, scientific analyses show that as EVs are driven over time, this initial disadvantage is offset, eventually leading to a net environmental benefit. For instance, the total carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions of an electric vehicle become neutral after approximately 44,000 kilometers of driving. From that point onward, the EV starts delivering a net reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to its gasoline or diesel counterpart.

To put it in perspective: an EV that covers 220,000 kilometers can prevent the release of around 20 tons of CO₂. That’s equivalent to the amount of carbon absorbed by about 1,000 mature trees in one year. Alternatively, the same CO₂ would be emitted by making 20 round trips between Istanbul and Hakkari in a conventional ICE vehicle.

However, when looking at the motivations behind EV purchases in Turkey, it seems that these environmental considerations are not the main driving factor. While there is indeed a segment of environmentally conscious EV owners, this remains a relatively small portion.

Over the past few years, EV ownership in Turkey has become associated with more than just sustainability. High torque, quiet operation, tax incentives, and technological prestige have become key reasons for adoption. In some ways, this has turned into a kind of sociological experiment. The increase in accidents involving high-performance EVs, disputes at charging stations, and the overall behavioral shift reflect some of the unintended consequences of this transition.

For EVs to truly become a tool for environmental transformation, environmental awareness must play a larger role in individual decision-making. Otherwise, this technological shift may continue to reshape not just our modes of transport, but our societal dynamics in unpredictable ways.