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!
