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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CEastwood Thy won't get recruits who want to become police officers . They'll get nuts who want to become The Green Hornet .
1995 SC I feel like the people that were all in on EVs no longer are because they don't like Elon and that trump's (pun intended) any environmental concerns they had (or wanted to appear to have)
NJRide My mom had the 2005 Ford 500. The sitting higher appealed to her coming out of SUVs and vans (this was sort of during a flattening of the move to non-traditional cars) It was packaged well, more room than 90s Taurus/GM H-Bodies for sure. I do remember the CVT was a little buzzy. I wonder if these would have done better if gas hadn't spiked these and the Chrysler 300 seemed to want to revive US full-size sedans. Wonder what percent of these are still on the road.
28-Cars-Later Mileage of 29/32/30 is pretty pitiful given the price point and powertrain sorcery to be a "hybrid". What exactly is this supposed to be?
MRF 95 T-Bird I own a 2018 Challenger GT awd in the same slate gray color. Paid $28k for it in late 2019 as a leftover on the lot. It’s probably worth $23k today which is roughly what this 2015 RT should be going for.