Environmental impact of electric car production shifts

In this paper I tackle the environmental impact of a production shift from internal combustion engine powered cars (ICV) to battery electric vehicles (BEV). This substitution is analysed using the well know framework of Environmentally Extended Input Output models. I propose a very simple approach that allows to assess effects of a gradual technical change in car anufacturing as BEVs substitute ICVs. Final demand and direct emission modifiations can be addressed too, but the present analysis focuses on car manufacturing input variations alone. Using the short version of the Exiobase_1 dataset changes in air emissions and the relative position of the car industry are investigated. Results depend on the type of input shifts, but pollution changes are negligible yet. In the worst scenario, impacts are about 1% for polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon only, and much lower for O2 and non-methane volatile organic compounds. Car manufacturing is one of the largest emitter of the latter and shifting to BEV production does not change the picture at all. Nonetheless, more inputs needed to produce batteries increase overall pollution but make car manufacturing appear a lower emitter.