Fully electric vehicles generate far fewer emissions over their entire lifecycle than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids, a new study by the University of Michigan has found.
The study, which was published in the Environmental Science & Technology journal, examined the ‘cradle-to-grave’ emissions of different vehicle types – from manufacturing through to disposal, as well as exploring usage patterns by geographical location across the United States.
Lower emissions
On average, a 300-mile range battery electric vehicle produces 31% to 36% fewer emissions across its lifecycle than a 50-mile range plug-in hybrid, 63% to 65% fewer than a hybrid, and 71% to 73% fewer than a traditional ICE vehicle, the study found.
Vehicle size also plays a role in terms of the emissions generated, with downsizing leading to reduced emissions – compact ICE vehicles, for example, produce 34% less emissions than gasoline pickups.
Read more: Global EV sales grew by 28% in the first half of this year
Cargo loads
Cargo loads were also assessed, in terms of their impact on vehicle performance, with the findings indicating that carrying 2,500 pounds in a pickup increased battery electric vehicle emissions by 13%, from 134 to 152 grams of CO2e per mile.
For a ICE vehicle, meanwhile the increase was 22%, from 486 to 592 grams of CO2e per mile.
‘Emissions maps and vehicle powertrain/class matrices highlight the interplay between vehicle classes, powertrains, locations, and use patterns, and provide insights for consumers, manufacturers, and policymakers,’ the researchers noted.
The study, Greenhouse Gas Reductions Driven by Vehicle Electrification Across Powertrains, Classes, Locations, and Use Patterns, can be found here.
