This claim often stems from the misconception that EV batteries are highly polluting. While producing EV batteries does require energy, the lifetime emissions of electric vehicles are significantly lower than those of gasoline-powered cars. Studies show that EVs produce 60-70% less greenhouse gas emissions over their lifetime compared to gasoline cars, even when accounting for the energy used in battery production. Furthermore, recycling programs are rapidly improving the sustainability of EV batteries .
According to the EPA, electric vehicles consume energy much more efficiently:
“Electric vehicles (EVs) typically have a smaller carbon footprint than gasoline cars, even when accounting for the electricity used for charging, plus they are far more efficient when it comes to energy use…. A significant advantage of EVs compared to conventional gasoline vehicles is their energy efficiency. EVs use approximately 87%–91% of the energy from the battery and regenerative braking to propel the vehicle. Gasoline vehicles only convert about 16–25% of the energy from gasoline into movement (averaging highway and city driving).”
So you ask, “What about the battery? Isn’t that dirty?” The EPA addresses that too:
“Some studies have shown that making a typical EV can create more carbon pollution than making a gasoline car. This is because of the additional energy required to manufacture an EV’s battery. Still, over the lifetime of the vehicle, total GHG emissions associated with manufacturing, charging, and driving an EV are typically lower than the total GHGs associated with a gasoline car. That’s because EVs have zero tailpipe emissions and are typically responsible for significantly fewer GHGs during operation.
For example, researchers at Argonne National Laboratory estimated emissions for both a gasoline car and an EV with a 300-mile electric range. In their estimates, while GHG emissions from EV manufacturing and end-of-life are higher (shown in orange below), total GHGs for the EV are still lower than those for the gasoline car.”
