The Union of Concerned Scientists has issued an update to its series of reports on EV GHG emissions, finding that the GHG advantage of EVs over gasoline and hybrid engines has continued to widen as the grid has gotten cleaner. Based on the most recent data available from the EPA (from 2014), on average EVs now emit the GHG equivalent of gasoline cars that get 73 MPG. New Numbers Are In and EVs Are Cleaner Than Ever
Some of the best regions are:
Upstate NY (160 MPG (!!) - up from 115)
New England (103 MGE -- up from 75)
California (95 MPG -- up from 78)
A summary from the report:
A few more details below. The interactive map in the linked article showing changes from 2009 to 2014 is useful.
Based on where EVs have been bought to-date, the average EV in the US now produces emissions equivalent to a hypothetical gasoline car achieving 73 MPG.
Nearly half of the EVs sold to date have gone to California, where the average EV produces global warming emissions equal to a 95 MPG gasoline car. The next 5 states for EV sales (Georgia, Washington, New York, Florida, and Texas) account for 20 percent of US EV sales and are regions that have emissions ratings of 50 MPG or better.
Manufacturing emissions are important, but much less of a factor than fuel emissions.
The emissions estimates presented above compare the use of an EV compared to using a gasoline vehicle. However, there are also emissions associated with the production of these cars, and in general making EVs produces more emissions than a comparable gasoline car. We studied this issue in our “Cleaner Cars From Cradle to Grave” report in 2015 and found that the extra emissions from making an 80-mile range EV (compared to a similar gasoline car) are about 15% higher. However, this extra emissions ‘debt’ is quickly recovered by the savings that accrue while using the electric vehicle.
How quickly the emissions are recovered depends on where the car is charged, but for an EV the size of the Nissan LEAF, we found that break-even point occurs after 6 to 13 months of use (depending on electric grid region), well shorter than the likely lifespan of the car.
Choosing an electric car over an inefficient gasoline model is one of the most influential decisions a household can make to reduce emissions
Some of the best regions are:
Upstate NY (160 MPG (!!) - up from 115)
New England (103 MGE -- up from 75)
California (95 MPG -- up from 78)
A summary from the report:
When compared to our initial report on EV global warming emissions, the changes are impressive. That report used 2009 power plant data (the most current available in 2012) and placed only 9 of 26 regions in the ‘best’ category. Now 19 regions are in the best category with only 2 in ‘good’ regions. For example, the Northern Midwest region that includes Minnesota and Iowa improved from 39 MPG equivalent to 54 MPG and Eastern Wisconsin also jumped from ‘good’ at 40 MPG to our ‘best’ rating with emissions equal to 52 MPG gasoline cars.
Since the data is from 2014 current results are likely even better. The update also does not account for EVs powered by rooftop solar, which is even cleaner.
A few more details below. The interactive map in the linked article showing changes from 2009 to 2014 is useful.
Based on where EVs have been bought to-date, the average EV in the US now produces emissions equivalent to a hypothetical gasoline car achieving 73 MPG.
Nearly half of the EVs sold to date have gone to California, where the average EV produces global warming emissions equal to a 95 MPG gasoline car. The next 5 states for EV sales (Georgia, Washington, New York, Florida, and Texas) account for 20 percent of US EV sales and are regions that have emissions ratings of 50 MPG or better.
Manufacturing emissions are important, but much less of a factor than fuel emissions.
The emissions estimates presented above compare the use of an EV compared to using a gasoline vehicle. However, there are also emissions associated with the production of these cars, and in general making EVs produces more emissions than a comparable gasoline car. We studied this issue in our “Cleaner Cars From Cradle to Grave” report in 2015 and found that the extra emissions from making an 80-mile range EV (compared to a similar gasoline car) are about 15% higher. However, this extra emissions ‘debt’ is quickly recovered by the savings that accrue while using the electric vehicle.
How quickly the emissions are recovered depends on where the car is charged, but for an EV the size of the Nissan LEAF, we found that break-even point occurs after 6 to 13 months of use (depending on electric grid region), well shorter than the likely lifespan of the car.
Choosing an electric car over an inefficient gasoline model is one of the most influential decisions a household can make to reduce emissions
