Water usage in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing is a complex issue compared to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle manufacturing. Here are some key points:
Water Usage in EV Manufacturing
- Higher Water Demand for Raw Materials: EVs require large quantities of water for the mining and extraction of critical minerals like lithium, which are essential for their batteries. This process can consume substantial amounts of water, especially in regions such as Chile, where water scarcity has become a significant concern.
- Total Vehicle Production Water Use: Reports from car manufacturers like Tesla and BMW indicate relatively low direct water usage per vehicle during the manufacturing process. For instance, Tesla reported 2.48 m³ of water per vehicle in 2023. However, these figures typically do not account for the water used in extracting and refining raw materials.
Water Usage in Traditional ICE Vehicle Manufacturing
- Lower Water Demand for Production: Traditional ICE vehicles generally require less water during their production phase compared to EVs. The majority of water usage in ICE vehicles comes from the production of fuel rather than the manufacturing of the vehicle itself.
- Fuel Production Water Usage: The extraction, refining, and transportation of gasoline are highly water-intensive processes, contributing significantly to the overall water footprint of ICE vehicles.
Comparative Analysis
- EVs vs. ICEs: While EV manufacturing might consume more water due to mineral extraction, the overall lifecycle water usage is often lower for EVs when powered by renewable energy sources. In contrast, ICE vehicles use significant amounts of water in fuel production and combustion processes.
- Future Outlook: As the energy grid transitions towards renewable sources, EVs are likely to become even more water-efficient compared to ICE vehicles.
In summary, EVs may use more water in the extraction of raw materials, but their overall water footprint can be lower over the vehicle’s lifecycle, especially with renewable energy powering them. Meanwhile, ICE vehicles rely heavily on water-intensive fuel production processes.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-water-usage-in-ev-manufacturing-compare-to-traditional-car-manufacturing/
