Electric car batteries 'are greener than previously thought'

Date: 1/9/2010

The batteries used to power electric cars are less damaging to the environment than previously thought, according to new research.

A study by the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (Empa) has undertaken for the first time to analyse the manufacture, operation and disposal of the products.

Taking this into account, Empa concluded an electric vehicle is significantly more environmentally-friendly than a petrol-engine vehicle.

No more than 15 per cent of an electric car's negative environmental impact is down to the battery, the organisation found.

Dominic Notter, co-author of the report, remarked: "Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are not as bad as previously assumed."

GreenWise recently reported that David Martell, Executive Chairman of Chargemaster, expects sales of the company's electric vehicle charging units to increase rapidly next year.

The market for electric cars has seen a boost in new activity lately, he added, which is due in part to incentives from the government and the launch of new green vehicles.

Posted by Nick Anderson