A new study reaffirms – at least in the U.S. – that electric vehicles (EVs) have lower lifetime emissions than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, regardless of the grid that powers the electricity used to charge them. The study, once again, disproves the pervasive story that (EVs) are actually dirtier than combustion vehicles if charged by a fossil fuel-based electricity grid.
Comparing data from OpenGrid and eGRID, researchers were able to create maps and comparisons regarding the efficiency of ICE, hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and EVs. PHEVs can achieve 80-90% of the emissions reductions of a full EV in urban environments, although they become less beneficial as distances increase or if drivers don‘t charge their batteries. There are extensive breakdowns of the total costs to operate the vehicles and emissions comparisons at www.carboncounter.com.
The advantage of full EVs is that they get cleaner as the grid gets cleaner, unlike combustion vehicles that typically get worse as their emissions systems degrade.
Source: Hackaday
