What are the real-world emissions benefits of electric cars?

What are the real-world emissions benefits of electric cars?

A recent study on cradle-to-grave emissions from Ford shows what electrification can do to reduce overall CO2 outflow.

Have you been bothered by gas prices recently? Same here – I feel like we’re all under some type of stress when it comes to our driving habits. Gone are the days when I drive five miles to my local fast food spot for dinner every night. Now, I have to drive one minute to my local grocery store for frozen pizza. It’s a real life-changer.

With gas prices continuing to rise, some consumers may be considering a switch to an EV to save on fuel costs. Gas price rises don’t just affect our wallets, though. As prices of gas continue to rise, disinterest in driving may secretly have environmentalists excited, as if you aren’t burning gas, you aren’t sending tailpipe emissions into the atmosphere. Though there are still emissions released into the air to produce electricity, could the impact be minuscule in comparison?

I mean, much of our electricity in the U.S. is still derived from fossil fuels, so emissions might not be coming from the car itself, but they’re still being produced somewhere.

But, a recent study on greenhouse gas emissions by light-duty vehicles from Ford shows that electrification can at least heavily reduce those emissions. For sedans, SUVs and pickup trucks, the study found hybrids and battery electric vehicles have approximately 28% and 64% lower cradle-to-grave life cycle emissions respectively than gas-powered vehicles with an internal combustion engine.

The U.S. Department of Energy also touted the environmental differences of EVs from their Alternative Fuels Data Center. Here, they explain how hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles can have significant emissions benefits over conventional vehicles.

EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, and hybrid vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions when in all-electric mode. And, according to national averages from the U.S. Department of Energy, annual emissions per vehicle per year are much higher for gas power vehicles. While EVs pump only about 4,000 pounds of CO2 equivalent emissions per vehicle per year, gasoline-powered vehicles produce almost triple the amount at about 11,500 pounds of CO2 equivalent emissions per vehicle per year.

So, think of the earth using CO2 like a nice weighted blanket. 4,000 lbs. feels pretty nice, but triple that weight and the Earth gets all uncomfortable and feels trapped, plus way too hot for your own good. That’s a little how CO2 feels – when dense carbon dioxide builds up in the atmosphere, it keeps adding weight to that heat-trapping weighted blanket.

Want more EV Impact Show? Click here.

You May Also Like

How EV battery system components can fail

The increased usage of EVs means there will come a time when these EVs need to be serviced – primarily the battery pack.

BBB-–-Batteries-1400

With the increase of EVs on the road today and entering the market tomorrow, eventually there will come a time when these vehicles need to be serviced, primarily the battery pack, which essentially is the heart of the EV vehicle. The good news is the entire battery pack typically doesn't fail, but components within the pack or battery system do.

Is it time to get excited about V2X EV charging?

Using V2X (bi-directional) charging, fleets could sell energy from their own fleet back to the grid when needed.

Impact-Show-V2x-InCharge-Energy
Tomorrow’s EV adoption depends on today’s charging standards

EV chargers in the U.S. have no comprehensive standards for the installation, operation, or maintenance … for now.

Impact-Featured-Image-EP72 Highway
Is Ford’s EV plan working?

One of Ford’s biggest opportunities for growth and value creation lands in EV sales.

Impact-Featured-Image-EP71-Ford
This is the No. 1 challenge facing EV adoption

Despite EV adoption rates growing, there’s still a lot to learn. Are the top consumer concerns warranted?

Impact-Featured-Image-1400x700-Adoption

Other Posts

NACFE to monitor 21 electric trucks – including Tesla Semi

The goal is to understand the impact of electric vehicles on total depot electric energy and fuel consumption.

AMN Drivetime: Continental Tire’s Travis Roffler

Hear Roffler discuss his start in the industry and the passion for automotive that led to his career.

AMN Drivetime Roffler Continental Tire
How many more miles of EV range can your tires give you?

The right tire could offer an EV as much as a 10% boost in range… but there’s more to this story.

Amped-michelin-1400
Mining CEO explains tungsten’s role in EVs

The CEO of mining company Almonty Industries gives us the latest demand expectations for the rare metal in relation to EVs.

Amped-Featured-Image-EP42-Almonty