Do Electric Vehicles Really Represent the Solution for Sustainability in the Automotive Industry?

Abstract

The automotive industry is currently in a state of flux, driven by disruptive technologies and sustainability requirements. Above all, the electrification of powertrains and the deployment of combustion engines are two of the major points touched by recent discussions. Electric vehicles are forecasted to take the lead in the automotive market in the following years and carmakers, even historical ones, are considering strategies to face this electrification transition. Electric vehicles provide a multitude of advantages in terms of emissions and pollution reduction, and seem to be the solution for sustainability in the automotive industry. However, concerns about wide availability of charging infrastructures, driving range, disposal and recycling of large battery packs, supply chain issues, and emissions caused by energy intensive manufacturing processes might put at risk their feasibility. The purpose of this research is to investigate further the debate involving the automotive industry and concerning worldwide adoption of electric vehicles, with evidence from academic and scientific literatures. A qualitative research has also been carried out to study whether concerns about feasibility of electric vehicles in the automotive industry are currently considered by companies in the sector or they merely lie in the background of companies’ strategic approaches.