Are Electric Cars Actually Better for the Environment?

We recently discussed the difference between renewable (eg hydroelectric, wind, solar) and nonrenewable (eg coal, natural gas) energy sources. With that information in mind, it’s easy to wonder whether electric cars are actually better for the environment. The electricity has to come from somewhere, after all. Isn’t a fossil fuel-powered electric car practically the same as a fossil fuel-powered gasoline car?

Not really, and for two reasons.

First, not all electricity comes from fossil fuels. In the US, about 2/3 of our electricity comes from fossil fuels and the other 1/3 comes from renewable and nuclear power sources. That means that the electricity we use in the US releases far less carbon from burning fossil fuels than burning gasoline. In countries that have largely switched over to renewable energy sources, an electric car’s average lifetime can emissions are about 70% lower than those of a similar gasoline car. Even in countries that haven’t yet made these changes to their power grid and burn coal for much of their power, an electric car may have 30% lower emissions. Actually, in 95% of the world, electric cars have lower carbon emissions than gasoline cars.

In the next few decades, as renewable energy sources like solar and wind become more economical and more widespread, the environmental benefits of electric cars will only increase.

The second reason that electric cars produce fewer emissions than gasoline cars is because car-sized gasoline engines are just not that efficient. Not all of the energy in the gasoline makes it to the car - some of it is lost as heat. Larger combustion processes, like coal plants, are more efficient and tend to have better environmental protection systems in place. They’re still not good for the environment, both in terms of carbon emissions affecting the climate and air pollution, but better than cars. In fact, a coal-powered Tesla is still more environmentally friendly than a gasoline car.

As an added bonus, because they don’t have engines at all, electric cars tend to cost less in maintenance and fuel over their lifetimes compared to gas-powered cars.

Ok, who wants to buy me a Tesla? It’s for environmental reasons, of course. Blue, please.

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikescott/2020/03/30/yes-electric-cars-are-cleaner-even-when-the-power-comes-from-coal/?sh=133333c22320

https://observer.com/2019/11/tesla-coal-powered-model-greener-normal-car-study/

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/01/15/climate/electric-car-cost.html