MIT: EVS are Eco-friendly Despite Batteries

Consumer demand for electric vehicles (EVS) has increased considerably in recent years, and automotive industry forecasts indicate that demand is likely to continue to rise over the next five to 10 years. Despite that popularity, some are still not sure if EVS are more eco-friendly than traditional cars and trucks, a skepticism that is typically linked to the production of EV batteries.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology report that EVS ultimately are more eco-friendly than gas-powered alternatives, even if the batteries needed to power them are more carbon-intensive to manufacture than gas-powered cars.

In their 2019 Insights Into Future Mobility study, researchers at MIT determined that the average gas-powered car emits more than 350 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) per mile driven over their lifetimes. By contrast, hybrid and plug-in hybrids emitted around 260 grams of CO2 per mile driven, while fully battery-electric vehicles emitted 200 grams of CO2 per mile driven.

The future also looks even better for EVS, as the MIT report indicates battery EVS could drop to around 125 grams of CO2 per mile driven by 2050 as more countries work to decarbonize their electric grids. (MC)