The link is a fair analysis of the overall lifecycle carbon output of an EV versus a gas-powered car: How Many Miles Before An Electric Car Is Greener Than A Gas Car
Bottom line: At 200,000 km or 120,000 vehicle miles, an EV will have produced -28% less CO2 than a similar gas car.
- Were you expecting more or less than that?
- Is that figure a surprise?
Back in the late 1970s, I read a book titled “Eating Oil”. That book pointed out back in the late 1970s, that the bulk of energy used by a typical car was used during its manufacture, and the energy (oil) used during its operational life was less. Mining, making, and forming steel are very energy intensive.
Obviously, many things have changed since then but last I looked it was common for significant parts of a vehicle’s lifetime energy use to have occurred during manufacturing.
Surprised?
I suspect most are surprised to find EVs do not reduce their carbon emissions as much as expected. However, note that after about 80,000 miles or so, the EV’s continuing energy usage is then far less carbon intensive (depending on electrical source).
People may also choose to buy EVs for reasons other than environmental reasons. As of late 2023, we bought an EV and love the car. People buy cars for numerous reasons, seldom having to do with the fuel source – but instead, based on the features of the car. Duh!
Note – all these calculations “depend” on many things. My house is solar powered with sufficient excess generation to recharge an EV. Otherwise, we would be consuming a grid power mix that includes hydro and coal plant generation. This also depends on the type of cars that are compared. Thus, the -28% is true for one scenario but not necessarily true for other scenarios.
[…] that after 200,000 miles, a typical EV is just -28% less carbon emitting than a similar gas vehicle, EVs remain a virtue signaling toy of the upper […]