Ahead of Earth Day (22 April), a study by electric two-wheeler firm Ather Energy shows that there is a 38 percent reduction in carbon emissions over the lifecycle of an electric scooter, as compared to a 110cc ICE scooter.

The report released by Ather Energy is based on an earlier study of the carbon emissions of a 110-cc ICE scooter conducted by The International Council of Clean Transport (ICCT) to an EV scooter with a 2.9 kW battery, in this study - the Ather 450X.

The report analysed all-encompassing phases, including mining, battery
and vehicle production, well to tank, tank to wheel, and recycling. In India, 110cc scooters sell well over 2 lakh units a month and have the highest share in the two-wheeler category. 

In this report, Ather Energy has also factored in a replacement battery pack to the ICCT report. Even then, the resulting lifetime emissions from an e-scooter accounting for 2 battery packs would still be 35 percent lesser than a 110 cc
scooter. Based on the exhausted battery pack's condition, the report factors that the depleted Battery pack may be recycled or used for energy storage applications.

Tarun Mehta, CEO, Ather Energy said that electric vehicles were the single biggest hope for achieving a decarbonised world and faster adoption of EVs is the first step towards this goal. 

Taking inspiration from insights from the ICCT report, Ather energy has worked out the reduction in emission in comparison with a 125cc scooter for various scenarios.

While the ICCT paper accounted for emissions from the manufacturing of only one battery pack during the lifetime, Ather has accounted for an additional new battery pack installed as a replacement battery. The report further takes into consideration another scenario with the installment of solar grid for charging of vehicles. Using the ICCT as a guideline where Ather 450X is representative of the EV, the company revealed that it has saved 56,31,000 kg of CO2 in 2022 alone, under present-day calculations.

In terms of efficiency, EVs convert around 60 percent of the electrical energy from the grid to power the wheels, while petrol or diesel cars convert only 17-21 percent of the energy stored in the fuel to the wheels. This means that around 80 percent of the energy stored in petrol or diesel is wasted, while EVs are far more efficient. The report further cites that EVs can reduce carbon emissions by up to 85 percent compared to a 125-cc ICE scooter when powered by renewable energy produced through solar grid installed at home.

Two-wheelers dominate total vehicle sales in India, and if no fuel consumption standards are put in place and the proportion of electric two-wheelers remains negligible, then tailpipe CO2 emissions from India's two-wheeler fleet alone are projected to reach 120 megatonnes by 2050.