The Union of Concerned Scientists have put together a study entitled State of Charge: Electric Vehicles' Global Warming Emissions and Fuel-Cost Savings across the United States.The scientists did a complete study of the Well-to-Wheels global warming pollution ratings of an EV and a typical ICE car. The study showed in my region, the Pacific Northwest, that an electric vehicle puts out the equivalent pollution of a 73 mpg ICE car. The figure from the report, below, shows the gas equivalent across the country.
To do the analysis above, the study analyzed the emissions of "gasoline miles per gallon equivalent." For example, if you run your electric car on a grid with 100% coal, it has the equivalent Well-to-Wheels global warming emissions as an ICE car that gets 30 MPG. Another example is if you run your EV on hydro, it is equivalent to and ICE car that gets 5,800 MPG. The chart below lays out the major electric sources in the US grid and the gas equivalents.
I purchase "green energy" from PGE. So I must be using wind and hydro. That means I am getting the equivalent of between 3,900 and 5,800 mpg. Pretty good. I highly recommend this study. You can read it by clicking on the link above. This study basically shows EVs are better for the environment no matter what technology is used for electric power generation. And in many places, EVs are a ton better!
"This study basically shows EVs are better for the environment no matter what technology is used for electric power generation."
ReplyDeleteNot true. This study basically says you are better off driving a Prius, unless you live on the east or west coast. In other words, EVs are not feasible for 60% of the US population.
Rebuttal to "Anonymous": The report states that for 45% of the US population, driving an EV would currently be lower emissions, in many cases 50% to 100% lower, than even the best hybrid (50 mpg Prius). And the current average gas car mpg is 24 mpg. EVs are much better than this in ANY state, ANY scenario. And consumers also often have choices about the power generation they buy or even self-generate (with gasoline there is no choice), And as already laid plans to make the future grid cleaner, the EVs will get cleaner (as gas/hybrids stay the same or get "dirtier" with age) EVs are the quickest and best long term way to reduce emissions of the current US fleet, now and for the future. And although in some situations, hybrids may be a good short term or intermediate step, they do not start the process of breaking our dependence on the global oil commodity and ensuring transportation energy derived is from 100% domestic sources.
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