Electric vehicles (EVs) generally produce lower total emissions than internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) over a 15-year period, with the magnitude of advantage depending on factors like electricity sources and vehicle efficiency.
Key factors affecting emissions
- Manufacturing: EV production generates ~80% more emissions than comparable ICEVs due to battery manufacturing.
- Operation: EVs fully offset manufacturing emissions within 1-2 years of driving in regions with cleaner grids (e.g., hydropower-heavy areas), reducing lifetime emissions by ~61% compared to hybrids. Even in coal-dependent regions (e.g., West Virginia), EVs still emit less than gasoline cars over their lifespan.
- Air pollution: EVs eliminate tailpipe emissions (NOx, CO, HC) entirely and reduce particulate matter (PM) by 6-42% compared to ICEVs, depending on the replaced vehicle type.
Long-term emissions comparison
- Clean grid scenarios: EVs charged with renewable-heavy electricity achieve 60%+ emissions reductions over their lifespan compared to ICEVs.
- Coal-dominated grids: EVs may have modest gains (~15-25% lower emissions than hybrids) but remain cleaner than gasoline cars.
- Global average: Most analyses conclude EVs outperform ICEVs globally, even with current grid mixes, reducing lifecycle greenhouse gases by 50-70% depending on location.
Critical variables
- Battery lifespan: Studies assume EV batteries last 180,000 miles (~15 years of average driving). Even at 90,000 miles, EVs stay 15% cleaner than hybrids.
- Grid decarbonization: As grids shift to renewables, EV emissions decline further over time, unlike ICEVs.
In summary, over a 15-year period, EVs consistently emit fewer greenhouse gases than ICEVs in nearly all scenarios, with distinct advantages in air quality due to zero tailpipe pollutants.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-ev-emissions-compare-to-those-of-icevs-over-a-15-year-period/
