For most US drivers, EVs offer emissions benefits and cost savings
4 hours ago
- Electric vehicles generate less greenhouse gas emissions and do not cost more than comparable gas-powered cars for most U.S. drivers and fleet owners, according to an MIT study.
- The study captures key factors like regional climate, electricity sources, driving patterns, and fuel prices to assess life-cycle emissions and ownership costs.
- Driving behaviors matter as much as regional factors (e.g., electricity mix) for emissions savings; EVs reduce emissions 40-60% in most locations, with larger impacts in urban areas.
- Colder climates do not reduce overall emission benefits as much as some media reports suggest.
- The researchers updated a public tool (carboncounter.com) to compare life-cycle emissions and total ownership costs of nearly any car on the market.
- EVs are most effective in areas with cleaner electricity, denser traffic, higher annual travel distances, and mild climates.
- Even in cold regions like North Dakota, EVs still reduce emissions substantially despite reduced fuel economy on frigid nights.
- In most U.S. locations, EVs are cost-competitive with gas cars over their lifetime, even without tax credits, especially where electricity is affordable.