EVs surpass gas cars in lifetime emissions after 2-3 years

Researchers from Northern Arizona University and Duke University report that electric vehicles overcome the higher emissions produced during their manufacture within about two to three years of use and produce substantially less environmental damage than comparable gasoline vehicles over their lifetimes. The study, published Wednesday in the journal PLOS Climate, examined vehicle and grid emissions across multiple adoption scenarios and concluded that gasoline vehicles cause at least twice as much lifetime environmental harm as battery electric vehicles.

The team evaluated pollutants tracked by the Environmental Protection Agency along with emissions data for internal combustion and electric vehicles, including the energy-intensive processes involved in extracting and manufacturing lithium-ion batteries. Their analysis found that EVs generate roughly 30 percent more carbon dioxide than gasoline vehicles in the first two years after manufacture, largely because of battery production. However, the net carbon advantage shifts quickly. "Very quickly you come out ahead in CO2 emissions by year three and then for all of the rest of the vehicle lifetime, you're far ahead," said Drew...