Tesla, which is seen as the pioneer of the electric vehicle (home) sector, frequently emphasizes its positive impact on the environment. As of 2023, the company suggests that the electric vehicle fleet helps to prevent emissions of 20 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂E), but a new report published by Greenly, which specializes in the field of carbon footprint measurement and management, has revealed that these figures could be exaggerated by 28 to 49 percent.

How does the carbon loan system work?

Carbon emissions rules of the EU tightening make automobile manufacturers to produce more environmentally friendly. However, brands that produce vehicles with internal combustion (ICE) are difficult to fully comply with these rules. At this point, the carbon loan system comes into play.

In this system, companies that produce zero -emission electric vehicles earn more carbon loans and sell these loans to companies that cannot achieve emission targets. For example, giant brands such as Toyota, Stellantis, Mazda and Subaru work with electric manufacturers, especially Tesla.

How does Tesla calculate?

On the other hand, Tesla makes calculations of reducing carbon emissions by comparing internal combustion motor (ICE) vehicles. Tesla assumes that internal combustion motor vehicles release an average of 445 grams of Co₂e per 1.6km in the US and 459 grams of Co₂ in Europe. Tesla says that electric vehicles released 116 grams of CO₂E per 1.6km in the US due to energy consumption. However, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) data, Greenly argues that this value is 206 grams of Co₂e. However, Tesla says that the production of a internal combustion motor vehicle spreads to 10 metric tons Co₂e and an electric vehicle emitted to 20 metric tons of coEN due to battery production. As a result of these calculations, Tesla claimed that the replacement of internal combustion vehicles with electric vehicles prevented 20 million metric tons emissions in 2023.

Where is the problem?

Greenly found significant inconsistencies by re -analyzing Tesla’s emission calculations with independent data. According to the transfer, the emission factors used by Tesla for ICE vehicles are higher than the standard value of large diesel vehicles in the UK, the 415 GCO₂E/mile. This difference suggests that Tesla might have shown more than he has prevented emissions.

Tesla’s value for 116 GCO₂E per mile for the United States is going to 206 GCO₂E, according to IEA data. This means that the carbon footprint caused by the charging process is underestimated. Tesla predicts that his vehicles will travel approximately 320,000 km for 17 years. However, Greenly says that this distance is exaggerated, so the prevented emissions will fall up to 6.9 million metric tons. In the light of these revised calculations, Greenly calculated the amount of emissions that Tesla really prevented between 10.2 to 14.4 million metric tons.

The reflection on Tesla can be heavy

These calculations are important. Because Tesla accumulates carbon loans based on these carbon calculations. These loans are an important income gate for Tesla. The company sells these loans to companies that continue to produce fossil fuel vehicles. Especially producers in the EU buy carbon loans from Tesla to comply with the strict arrangements in the region. There is also a side of trust. People and institutions should be able to access the right emission information about electric vehicles.

Since 2017, the company, which has earned more than $ 10.4 billion from carbon loans sales, may experience serious financial losses if it loses its reliability in this field. The company, only last year with an increase of 54 percent of the loan sale of $ 2.76 billion revenue. This profit helps the company to remain strong, especially in the years when vehicle margins are low.

If Tesla’s emission claims are inflated, the reliability of carbon loan sales can be shaken. The arrangements in this area can also be made more rigid. If Tesla exaggerated emission reductions, he may face legal regulations. This may lead to loss of fines or access to incentive programs.

Not only that; Tesla may see a decrease in its income due to rapidly falling sales in the EU. This also directly threatens the company’s carbon loan pooling plan. If Tesla cannot sell enough vehicles this year, Stellantis may not be able to provide carbon loans promised to other companies.