Life cycle CO2 emissions for EVs are twice lower than for gasoline cars

Currently EV production results in higher emissions than the making of gasoline cars - mostly due to manufacturing of the EV lithium-ion battery.

Based on the average U.S. electricity grid emissions, producing a midsize, mid-range (84 miles per charge) EV similar to a Nissan LEAF typically results in 15 percent greater emissions than in manufacturing a similar gasoline vehicle. At the same time, replacing gasoline use with electricity reduces overall emissions by 51 percent over the life of the car.

A full-size long-range (265 miles per charge) EV similar to a Tesla Model S, increases manufacturing emissions by 68 percent over the gasoline version.

But during life cycle of this electric vehicle, overall CO2 emissions are 53 percent lower compared with a similar gasoline vehicle. Above analysis was conducted and published by Union of Concerned Scientists.

So, the extra emissions associated with electric vehicle production are rapidly compensated by reduced emissions from driving. It is also important to mention that emissions of manufacturing EVs are falling rapidly as automakers improve production efficiency and benefit from growing economy of scale.