The promise of electric automobiles has been presented with the promise of zero grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer, a value that has served as the basis for tax incentives and ecological transition policies in various countries.
However, this value hides a significant gap. The zero emissions count refers only to the direct operation of the vehicle, that is, when it is in circulation, disregarding the entire manufacturing process and, mainly, battery production.
The great myth that has fallen with this analysis is that zero emissions simply do not exist when considering the complete life cycle of an electric vehicle. From the extraction of raw materials to the construction of the automobile, significant carbon emissions are generated.
This reality raises important questions about the true sustainability of electric cars and about the adequacy of the tax incentives that have been offered based on this premise of zero emissions.
