Without considering production and recharging, would simply driving an electric vehicle be emitting carbon dioxide?

Question

Without considering production and recharging, would simply driving an electric vehicle be emitting carbon dioxide?

In: Technology

Answer 1

No, the engine would not emit carbon dioxide. Currently electric engines and batteries only emit heat. The byproducts of the reaction do not involve carbon dioxide and are self contained within the battery.

The car itself might emit some CO2 from the friction on the tires as it drives, but the amount would be negligible.

That being said, electric cars are not free from emissions. The mineral extraction and production process does produce CO2 and the energy needed to charge the car produces CO2 until we can switch entirely to a green power source like nuclear.