Electric vs. Gasoline Cars: Uncovering the Real Climate Savior

by TTAC Staff

Published: February 23rd, 2024

Photo credit: Nick Starichenko / Shutterstock.com

Contrary to common misconceptions, electric vehicles (EVs) generally have a smaller carbon footprint compared to traditional gasoline cars. This advantage remains true even when considering the electricity utilized for charging EVs. One key distinction is that EVs produce no direct tailpipe emissions. However, the production of electricity for EV charging can result in carbon emissions, depending on the energy source.

The carbon pollution from electricity varies based on local energy production methods. For instance, electricity generated from coal or natural gas is associated with higher carbon emissions, while renewable sources like wind or solar energy contribute negligible carbon pollution. Despite the variance in electricity production methods, studies indicate that EVs are typically linked to lower greenhouse gas emissions than the average new gasoline vehicle.

The shift towards renewable energy sources further enhances the environmental benefits of EVs. As more renewable energy sources are integrated into the power grid, the overall greenhouse gas emissions associated with EVs can be further reduced. Notably, in 2020, renewable energy sources rose to become the second-most dominant source of electricity in the United States.

Tools to Measure Your EV's Environmental Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) offer valuable resources for assessing the environmental impact of EVs. The EPA's Power Profiler is an interactive tool that provides information about the electricity production mix in different regions. By entering a zip code, users can understand the specific energy sources powering their local area.

Additionally, the Beyond Tailpipe Emissions Calculator, developed by the EPA and DOE, is a user-friendly tool designed to estimate the greenhouse gas emissions from charging and driving an EV or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). This tool allows users to select specific EV or PHEV models and input their zip code to compare the CO2 emissions from these vehicles with those from gasoline cars. These tools empower individuals to make informed decisions about the environmental impact of their transportation choices.

This article was co-written using AI and was then heavily edited and optimized by our editorial team.

TTAC Staff

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Calrson Fan I predict this won't sell any better than the F150 Lightening. People with money to burn will buy it for the "hey look what I got" factor. They'll tire of it quickly once they have shown it to friends & family and then sell or trade in at a huge loss. It will be their first and last EV PU truck until the technology & charging infrastructure matures.
Carson D There is a story going around that a man who bought a new Tundra was contacted by his insurance company because his son's phone had paired with his infotainment system, and the insurance company added his son to his policy as a result. If Toyota is cooperating with insurance companies, one might think that they're doing so in order to get lower rates for their vehicles as a selling feature. Spying on your customers and ratting them out to insurance companies is not a selling feature. I know of one sale that it has already cost them.
Chris P Bacon "Needs a valve replaced" and has a cracked windshield, which would be a problem if you live in a state with an annual safety inspection. Based on the valve alone, it's overpriced. If those issues were corrected, it might be priced about right to be a cheap ride until something bigger broke. It's probably a $500 car in current condition.
SilverHawk Being a life-long hobby musician, I have very eclectic tastes in music. 2 of my vehicles have a single-disk cd player, so that's how I keep my sanity on the road.
Golden2husky So the short term answer is finding a way to engage the cloaking device by disabling your car's method of transmitting data. Thinking out loud here - would a real FSM show the location of the module and antenna...could power be cut to that module? I'm assuming that OTA updates would not occur but I wonder what else might be affected...I have no expectations of government help but frankly that is exactly what is required here. This is a textbook case where the regulatory sledgehammer is the only way to be sure.