Tesla Motors Club
New Data Show Electric Vehicles Continue to Get Cleaner
The Union of Concerned Scientists has updated its Cradle-to-Grave EV emission report.
The good news continues: EV emissions continue to decrease quickly and now are better than a 50 MPG ICE vehicle in 75% of the US.
Even better, the cleanest EVs like the Model 3 have lower lifetime emissions than a 50 MPG ICE in 99% of the US.
The report emphasizes an important point that often gets overlooked on this issue — when you buy an EV it continues to get cleaner over time. When you buy an ICE, you lock in a lifetime of high emissions.
A great example is Colorado. In 2009, it was one of the worst states, with EVs emitting on average the same as a 34 MPG vehicle (still better than most ICE vehicles).
The latest data (from 2016) showed a 35% improvement to 46 MPG for the average EV (60 MPG for Model 3 LR!).
Recently, the largest Colorado utility (Xcel) received wind or solar plus storage generation bids that are cheaper than continuing to operate most of the existing coal plants feeding its grid. So it is just a matter of time before the grid there is much cleaner.
In Colorado, a glimpse of renewable energy’s insanely cheap future
This latest report from UCS makes EVs’ carbon emission advantage over ICE as clear as ever. And with rooftop solar, it is even better.
The Union of Concerned Scientists has updated its Cradle-to-Grave EV emission report.
The good news continues: EV emissions continue to decrease quickly and now are better than a 50 MPG ICE vehicle in 75% of the US.
Even better, the cleanest EVs like the Model 3 have lower lifetime emissions than a 50 MPG ICE in 99% of the US.
The report emphasizes an important point that often gets overlooked on this issue — when you buy an EV it continues to get cleaner over time. When you buy an ICE, you lock in a lifetime of high emissions.
A great example is Colorado. In 2009, it was one of the worst states, with EVs emitting on average the same as a 34 MPG vehicle (still better than most ICE vehicles).
The latest data (from 2016) showed a 35% improvement to 46 MPG for the average EV (60 MPG for Model 3 LR!).
Recently, the largest Colorado utility (Xcel) received wind or solar plus storage generation bids that are cheaper than continuing to operate most of the existing coal plants feeding its grid. So it is just a matter of time before the grid there is much cleaner.
In Colorado, a glimpse of renewable energy’s insanely cheap future
This latest report from UCS makes EVs’ carbon emission advantage over ICE as clear as ever. And with rooftop solar, it is even better.