A variety of factors determine the degree of emissions associated with operating an electric vehicle versus a comparable internal combustion engine automobile. According to a recent research report, using an EV results in reduced emissions in the majority of regions in the U.S., a scenario that differed significantly from over a decade ago when the initial study of this nature was released.
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) originally conducted a scrutiny of the comparative emissions of EVs driven in the U.S. back in 2012 and their environmental impact. It was highlighted that less than half (45%) of the U.S. population resided in regions where using an EV instead of a gasoline car led to fewer emissions than those generated by a highly efficient combustion car achieving 50 mpg.
If residing in upstate New York, driving EVs is noticeably cleaner than ICE
While some parts of the U.S. still heavily depend on coal or gas for electricity generation, if someone resides in upstate New York or California, operating an EV results in considerably fewer emissions when contrasted with a similar ICE vehicle.
As of now, a recent UCS study reveals that the geographical area where operating EVs produces lower emissions than utilizing an efficient combustion car has widened to encompass 93% of the total land area of the U.S. They also elevated the theoretical efficiency of the gasoline car being compared against EVs to 57 mpg, setting the standard even higher.
The study indicates that “for the first instance, it is observed that for all individuals in the U.S., driving the most efficient EV results in fewer global warming emissions than any gasoline-exclusive vehicle available (including non-plug-in hybrids).” Certain regions possess cleaner electricity compared to others; as an example, if one drives an average EV in upstate New York, which boasts the cleanest electricity production in the U.S., it equates to a combustion car returning 219 mpg.
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Texas possesses a larger proportion of electricity generated from burning fossil fuels (over 60%); however, even in such cases, an EV is equivalent to a gas vehicle achieving 82 mpg. The UCS determined that across the entire nation, the average stood at a theoretical 94 mpg. This figure could be enhanced further if all EVs were more compact and efficient because there are numerous electric vehicles on the roads today that consume excessive energy, consequently reducing the average efficiency—as there is a noticeable absence of small, economical, and budget-friendly EVs in the U.S.
The efficiency of the hypothetical EV under consideration significantly influences a region’s efficiency ranking. For instance, if a far more efficient vehicle like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 or Lucid Air is selected instead of an “average EV,” then the equivalent efficiency of operating an EV in upstate New York surges to 285 mpg.
The UCS also compared the emissions of a standard sedan with a combined efficiency rating of 32 mpg against an EV with a 300-mile battery and computed that the lifetime emissions were 52% less for automobiles and 57% less for pickups. It was highlighted that operating an “average electric pickup” was more environmentally friendly than driving a 37-mpg hybrid truck, with a nationwide average rating of 61 mpg (142 mpg in upstate New York and 53 mpg in Texas).
It is important to acknowledge that when considering the overall environmental impact of an EV, it is vital to account for how the raw materials utilized in its battery were sourced, their extraction location, and the travel distance to the processing facility. This part of the EV supply chain also contributes significantly to emissions and often has adverse effects on the region of material origin.
However, when focusing solely on the emissions stemming from powering these vehicles, operating EVs is notably more eco-friendly. The U.S. has been transitioning to cleaner electricity generation, with the proportion of energy derived from coal falling under 20% by 2022, while the use of renewable sources (such as solar and hydroelectric) surged to 39%, as per the UCS source study.
