One of the most frequently asked questions about electric vehicles (EVs) is about their environmental cleanliness. Many people considering fuel efficiency are curious if even the Best Mpg Gasoline Cars are truly better for the planet than switching to electric.
Five years ago, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) addressed this question, publishing their initial findings on the global warming emissions associated with electric vehicles in their ‘State of Charge’ report. In early 2017, the US EPA updated its data on emissions from electricity generation, incorporating power plant emissions data up to the end of 2014. This update allows us to reassess the environmental impact of EVs compared to even the best MPG gasoline cars.
EVs Produce Fewer Emissions Than Even 50 MPG Gasoline Cars for Most Americans
Our latest analysis reveals that the overall global warming emissions resulting from driving an EV are significantly lower across the majority of the United States. In fact, many regions have seen a considerable reduction in emissions compared to our previous EV emissions assessment. This means that even when stacked up against the best MPG gasoline cars available, EVs come out ahead in terms of environmental impact for a large portion of the population.
When we compare these findings to our original report on EV global warming emissions, the progress is striking. That earlier report, utilizing 2009 power plant data (the most current at the time in 2012), categorized only 9 out of 26 regions in the ‘best’ emissions category. Now, with updated data, a remarkable 19 regions fall into this top tier, with only 2 regions classified as ‘good’. For instance, the Northern Midwest region, encompassing states like Minnesota and Iowa, improved from a 39 MPG equivalent to an impressive 54 MPG equivalent. Eastern Wisconsin also experienced a significant jump, moving from a ‘good’ rating at 40 MPG equivalent to our ‘best’ rating, matching the emissions of a 52 MPG gasoline car.
Since 2009, global warming emissions from electricity generation have decreased in numerous parts of the US, further enhancing the environmental advantage of EVs. Explore the regional changes using the slider above.
Average EV in the US Now Equivalent to a 73 MPG Gasoline Car
Considering the geographical distribution of EV sales to date, the average EV operating in the US now generates emissions equivalent to a hypothetical gasoline car achieving 73 MPG. This figure significantly surpasses the fuel efficiency of even the best MPG gasoline cars currently on the market.
Notably, California, which accounts for nearly half of all EV sales, boasts an even more impressive statistic. In California, the average EV’s global warming emissions are comparable to a staggering 95 MPG gasoline car. The next five states leading in EV adoption – Georgia, Washington, New York, Florida, and Texas – represent 20 percent of US EV sales and are all regions with emissions ratings of 50 MPG equivalent or better. This further solidifies the point that EVs are outperforming even the best MPG gasoline cars in major markets.
Manufacturing Emissions: A Smaller Piece of the Puzzle
While it’s important to acknowledge the emissions associated with manufacturing vehicles, including EVs, these “upstream” emissions are considerably less impactful than the emissions generated during the vehicle’s operational lifespan (fuel emissions). Producing EVs does result in higher emissions than manufacturing comparable gasoline cars. Our 2015 “Cleaner Cars From Cradle to Grave” report investigated this aspect and determined that the additional emissions from manufacturing an 80-mile range EV (compared to a similar gasoline car) are approximately 15% higher. However, this initial emissions ‘debt’ is quickly offset by the emissions savings accumulated during the electric vehicle’s use.
The timeframe for recouping these initial manufacturing emissions varies depending on where the EV is charged. However, for an EV the size of a Nissan LEAF, our research indicates that the break-even point occurs within 6 to 13 months of operation (depending on the specific electric grid region). This is significantly shorter than the typical lifespan of a vehicle, reinforcing the long-term environmental benefits of EVs compared to even the best MPG gasoline cars.
Choosing EVs Over Inefficient Gasoline Cars: A Powerful Emission Reduction Strategy
For the average American household, transportation constitutes roughly one-third of their total global warming emissions. Furthermore, vehicle choice offers a significant degree of control over personal emissions. The average fuel economy of new gasoline vehicles in the US is around 25 MPG. Opting for an EV, with its 73 MPG equivalent emissions, translates to less than half the global warming emissions compared to the average new gasoline vehicle. This demonstrates the substantial environmental advantage of EVs, even when considering the existence of best MPG gasoline cars.
If you’re interested in exploring the specific emissions profile of various EV models in your location, we encourage you to use our EV tool here. This tool has been recently updated with our latest EV emissions estimates and includes many new EV models. For those seeking the most efficient (and lowest emission) EV models, consider exploring the Hyundai Ioniq BEV, Chevy Bolt, and BMW i3 BEV. These models represent the cutting edge of electric vehicle efficiency and further emphasize the environmental benefits over even the best MPG gasoline cars.
Key Updates in Emission Calculations
Our previous assessment comparing gasoline vehicle emissions to those of electric vehicles was detailed in our 2012 State of Charge report. That report relied on the best available data at the time, including 2009 estimates for power plant emissions and transmission losses, as well as the most recent estimates of ‘upstream’ emissions.
While we maintained the same analytical methodology from both the State of Charge and Cleaner Cars From Cradle to Grave reports for these updated emission estimates, the underlying data has evolved.
The EPA’s eGRID database, which provides power plant emission estimates, was updated from 2009 data to 2014 data. In many regions, power plant emissions decreased, largely due to the reduction in coal-fired power generation and the growth of renewable energy sources. However, some regions did experience increases. For example, in the Pacific Northwest, reduced hydroelectric power output led to increased reliance on fossil fuel power plants.
The eGRID data also incorporated a refined method for calculating transmission and distribution losses of electric power from generators to end-users. This updated loss estimate is notably lower than previous estimates, consequently reducing the emissions attributed to EVs.
Finally, we updated our estimates for ‘upstream’ emissions, such as those from fuel extraction and refining, utilizing the latest version of the GREET model from Argonne National Laboratory.
Most regions experienced a decrease in emissions from electricity generation and distribution between 2009 and 2014. Red triangles in the chart indicate the total change in global warming emissions resulting from shifts in generation sources, upstream emissions from fuel production, and losses in electricity transmission and distribution from power plants to end-users. This overall reduction further strengthens the environmental case for EVs compared to even the best MPG gasoline cars.
