The Burrow
Dec 5, 2024
Electric vehicles are better for the environment across its lifetime, even with the production of large battery packs and charging off the grid.1
But not all electric cars have the same carbon footprint.
As energy comparison experts, we looked at the entry-level model of 25 different EVs to gauge which are likely better for the planet by indexing four different indicators – Green New Car Assessment Program’s (Green NCAP’s) sustainability score, claimed energy efficiency, battery size, and battery type.
Here are the greenest EVs.
1. BYD Dolphin – 8.23/10
The BYD Dolphin electric hatchback had the highest green EV index score due to a combination of factors.
Importantly, the entry-level Chinese EV achieved a high 98% average score by Green NCAP, which assesses lifetime greenhouse gas emissions and powertrain efficiency.
The base Dolphin’s claimed energy efficiency is low at 15.2kWh/100km on the combined Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) cycle, with a relatively smaller 46kWh (gross) battery size that adopts the more sustainable cobalt- and nickel-free lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) chemistry.2
2. Tesla Model 3 – 7.60/10
The globally popular Tesla Model 3 electric sedan in base rear-wheel drive (RWD) form was the second-most green EV in the index.
Like the BYD Dolphin, it obtained a high 98% average Green NCAP score for environmental sustainability – but the Model 3’s claimed 13.2kWh/100km energy consumption was the lowest out of all 25 EVs studied.
Meanwhile, the Model 3 RWD features an estimated 60kWh (gross) battery – which is mid-pack in our study – but uses the LFP type.
3. Dacia Spring – 7.29/10
The budget-friendly Dacia Spring was among the best green EVs on the index.
Green NCAP awarded it a high 99% sustainability score with a low 14.1kWh/100km claimed energy efficiency.
Key to its high ranking was the small 26kWh (gross) entry-level grade battery pack – which theoretically requires fewer raw materials to produce. However, it uses the more conventional lithium-ion type chemistry.
| Make & Model | Green NCAP Score | Claimed Energy Efficiency (combined cycle) | Minimum Battery Size (gross) | Battery Type (entry-level model) | Overall Index Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYD Dolphin | 98% | 15.2kWh/100km | 46kWh | LFP | 8.23 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 98% | 13.2kWh/100km | 60kWh | LFP | 7.60 |
| Dacia Spring | 99% | 14.1kWh/100km | 26kWh | Lithium-ion | 7.29 |
| BYD Atto 3 | 97% | 16.0kWh/100km | 50kWh | LFP | 6.88 |
| GWM Ora/Ora 03 | 97% | 16.7kWh/100km | 48kWh | LFP | 6.77 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 | 98% | 13.9kWh/100km | 53kWh | Lithium-ion | 6.04 |
| Renault Megane E-Tech | 96% | 15.8kWh/100km | 43kWh | Lithium-ion (NMC) | 5.00 |
| MG 4 | 95% | 17.0kWh/100km | 51kWh | LFP | |
| Smart #3 | 95% | 17.2kWh/100km | 49kWh | LFP | |
| Skoda Enyaq | 96% | 15.7kWh/100km | 55kWh | Lithium-ion (NMC) | 4.27 |
All EVs are already better for the environment than most internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles – as demonstrated by Green NCAP’s high 95%-plus assessment scores compared to 55% or less for petrol-powered models – but there are other factors, too.
Lower energy consumption denotes an EV that has a more efficient powertrain that better maximises the battery energy available at powering the wheels and electronic systems.
A smaller battery size also theoretically means fewer resources are required to produce the pack, while the lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery type has demonstrated to be more sustainable since it doesn’t use contentious cobalt and nickel materials.2
It’s worth noting that Green NCAP has only assessed 25 EV models as at the time of writing, which limited the study to a handful of cars sold in Europe. Volvo and Polestar also claim to boast low lifetime carbon footprints for their electric car models, but weren’t indexed as neither brand is covered by Green NCAP.3
Compare the Market’s Head of Energy, Meredith O’Brien, said making the switch to an electric vehicle is key to limit drivers’ carbon footprint, but there are ways to reduce it even further.
“Research demonstrates that electric cars are better for the environment over the life of the vehicle, despite a higher initial carbon footprint from the factory,” Ms O’Brien said.
“Almost 40% of Australia’s electricity generation came from renewable sources in 2023 – and this figure is expected to grow – so even if you don’t have access to rooftop solar and battery storage systems at home or work, EVs are still greener than pumping fossil fuels into a petrol or diesel vehicle.
“Owners can also (for a fee) add green energy to an electricity plan to help further reduce lifetime emissions, by offsetting their recharging and other household energy usage with renewable electricity generation back into the grid.
“EVs are generally cheaper to charge at home than refuelling a petrol or diesel vehicle, but not all electricity retailers set the same pricing, so it pays to compare the plans that are on offer to ensure you’re not paying more than you need to.”
Using a list of 25 different electric vehicle models (entry-level variant), the greenest models were determined based on four factors:
These factors were averaged to produce an overall score and ranking for the greenest EVs.