Are EVs Really Better for the Environment?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are known for running clean and green. But, while EVs don't produce any tailpipe emissions, they might still account for some greenhouses gases. So, are EVs really better for the environment?

Yes, they are. But how much better depends on how the battery is charged. If you're driving on electricity created by fossil fuels, you're still adding those emissions into the environment, even if they aren't coming out of your tailpipe.

However, if your vehicle is charged with 100% renewable energy, then your vehicle is running totally green. Most likely, your vehicle uses some combination of fossil fuels and clean energy. So, your EV might not be completely emissions free, but it's still much cleaner than driving a conventional gasoline-fueled vehicle. Even if your vehicle was driven by 100% coal (which it's probably not), an equivalent gas-fueled vehicle would still create more carbon emissions while running.

The real impact, however, happens over the life of the vehicle. EVs are more efficient than conventional vehicles, running for more miles on less fuel. And that fuel emits fewer greenhouse gases with every mile.

By the time it drives for 60,000 miles, an EV is responsible for one-third less emissions than a comparable gas-fueled vehicle. And that gap will continue to widen with every mile.