Q&A Frequently Asked Questions about Electric Cars Lifetime Global Warming Emissions

The Union of Concerned Scientists finds that driving on electricity produces lower global warming emissions than the average new gasoline car in every U.S. region. While battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) have higher manufacturing emissions due to lithium-ion battery production, this is offset by lower operational emissions, resulting in lifetime emissions approximately 50% lower than gasoline counterparts. The analysis highlights that the electricity source used for charging and manufacturing is the most critical factor in determining an EV's total emissions impact.

• Driving on electricity results in lower global warming emissions than the average new gasoline car (rated at 29 mpg) in every U.S. region. In regions where 66% of Americans live, electric vehicles produce lower emissions than gasoline vehicles rated at 50 mpg.
• Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) have higher manufacturing emissions than gasoline vehicles, primarily due to lithium-ion battery production. For a midsize BEV with an 84-mile range, manufacturing results in 1 ton of global warming emissions, which is 15% higher than a similar gasoline vehicle.
• The higher manufacturing emissions of BEVs are offset by their operational efficiency. A midsize 84-mile-range BEV requires 4,900 miles of driving to offset its battery production emissions, while a full-size 265-mile-range BEV requires 19,000 miles. Overall, lifetime emissions for a midsize BEV are about 50% lower than its gasoline equivalent.
• The most critical factor for EV emissions is the electricity source used for charging and manufacturing. Policies like the EPA's Clean Power Plan that increase renewable energy generation can further reduce the emissions of EVs.
• Plug-in hybrid EVs generally fall between fully gasoline and fully battery-electric vehicles in terms of global warming emissions. Conventional hybrids have higher manufacturing emissions than gasoline cars but offset this through increased efficiency and lower fuel use.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2015). Q&A Frequently Asked Questions about Electric Cars Lifetime Global Warming Emissions. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/11/Cleaner-Cars-from-Cradle-to-Grave-FAQ.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Q&A Frequently Asked Questions about Electric Cars Lifetime Global Warming Emissions. 2015. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/11/Cleaner-Cars-from-Cradle-to-Grave-FAQ.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Q&A Frequently Asked Questions about Electric Cars Lifetime Global Warming Emissions |date=November 2015 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/11/Cleaner-Cars-from-Cradle-to-Grave-FAQ.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2015frequently, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Q\&A Frequently Asked Questions about Electric Cars Lifetime Global Warming Emissions}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2015}, month = nov, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/11/Cleaner-Cars-from-Cradle-to-Grave-FAQ.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }