There’s a rising tide of anti-EV rhetoric floating around the Internet, with many false claims intended to discourage Americans from making the switch. One common misconception is that electric vehicles (EVs) are more harmful for the environment than Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles — and are produced using unsustainable and/or unethical practices. In truth, the best way to fight climate change is by accelerating our country’s transition to cleaner energy. Choosing an EV is one of the easiest ways for individuals to significantly reduce their carbon footprint as well as save money. For consumers who are “EV-Curious”, who want to learn about the real environmental impact of electric vehicles, here’s a quick summary of the facts.

Fact 1: EV manufacturing is worse for the environment, but overall EVs are much better.

Manufacturing cars of any kind takes considerable amount of energy and resources. From the fuel needed to mine and transport raw metals from around the globe to the electricity used to make tires, producing new cars is resource intensive. The common misconception that EVs are worse for the environment appears to come from the fact that EVs have a larger initial environmental footprint than gas vehicles. If you match a brand-new EV against a brand-new gas car, the EV takes more energy to produce.

Why is that? Because EVs use batteries instead of engines to run, and those batteries  — many of which are currently manufactured in China — require nickel, lithium, cobalt, graphite, copper, manganese as well as some rare earth metals to improve range, like neodymium. Each of these materials requires extracting and processing that takes its own toll on the earth. For example, lithium requires a great deal of water to extract and pollutes the local environment. So yes, side-by-side before it's even driven, an EV has more of an immediate negative impact on the earth.  

Fact 2: Electric vehicles are better for the planet in less than 2 years of driving , on average.

Comparing ICE vehicles and electric vehicles before they are driven does not make sense as most of a car’s impact comes from driving and the average vehicle in America is driven 200,000 and 300,000 miles before it is scrapped. So how long does it take for an EV to “break even” environmentally speaking? Not long!

Fact 3: EVs are much better for the environment over time!

Gas cars contribute heavily to global warming because each gallon of gas they burn adds 20 pounds of GHG to the atmosphere, mostly in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2). In the US, where people are spread out and rely heavily on driving to get around, the average passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. As a result, for most American households, driving makes up more than half of their total carbon footprint, and passenger vehicles account for almost 60% of the country’s total vehicle emissions.    

Electric vehicles are powered using electricity from the grid and emit no tailpipe emissions at all. Their ongoing contribution to global warming, is based entirely on the electricity used to charge them. This environmental “cost” is a function of the local grid mix or power source. As a result, many electric cars run entirely on renewable non-emitting energy sources such as solar or wind, while others plug into grid systems powered by coal or natural gas. America’s grid is getting greener every year, while currently driving an EV reduces GHG emissions by 70% or more over the full lifecycle of the vehicle. Even in areas where electricity comes 100% from burning coal, EVs still reduce total emissions up to 30%.

Fact 4: EVs are always better for local air quality where they are driven

Tailpipe emissions from gas burning cars include more than climate warming CO2. Gas burning vehicles also emit carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC), ozone, and particulate matter (PM). These pollutants include known carcinogens and toxins. People who breathe them in are at increased risk for many serious health conditions including neurological and reproductive damage as well as cardiovascular problems and immune system deficiencies. These toxic emissions are responsible for an estimated 5-10% of premature deaths in the United States. Poor and minority communities experience a disproportionate impact due to excess exposure and reduced access to care. EVs have no tailpipe emissions and thus improve local air quality wherever they are driven. If you wish to compare the difference between EV and gas vehicle GHG emissions in your community, the EPA has created a useful online tool that is both vehicle and location specific.

Fact 5: You can further reduce an EV’s environmental footprint based on your charging pattern.

Because EVs draw their electricity from the grid, the environmental impact of that electricity depends on where and how it is generated. For example, according to a recent MIT study in California, overnight charging creates 70% more emissions than mid-day charging. This seems counterintuitive but is due to the fact that during daytime hours, the electric grid is mostly fueled by solar power. However, in New York State, where much of the electricity comes from nuclear and hydro, the reverse is true: night time charging reduces emissions by 20%. The best time to charge your EV is location specific, but one rule of thumb is that off-peak charging produces less GHG emissions than peak charging – and often saves the consumer money. Checking with your local utility is currently the best way to find out how EV charging affects your area.  

The world is in agreement: climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing humanity today. It’s more important than ever that we take actions to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Switching to an EV is one of the easiest ways for individuals to make a significant dent in their carbon footprint. And despite the initial environmental impact of manufacturing EVs, this impact is more than offset by how clean and efficient they are on the road. Overall, EVs are much better for the planet than both gasoline and hybrid cars. As battery technology continues to improve, and our power sources get cleaner, EVs will become even more desirable and sustainable. If you're considering making the switch to an EV or already own one, remember that you can further reduce your environmental footprint by researching the optimum charging pattern for your area. With a little extra effort, we can all make a difference in the fight against climate change.