Are EVs Actually WORSE for the Environment?

Many believe that EVs have a bigger carbon footprint than gasoline-powered vehicles. Here's what we learned.

Sections:
00:00 -Intro
01:40 -Specifics on our Focus
02:46 -Why It’s Important (Greenhouse Gases/CO2 Emissions in US)
04:19 -Cars to Compare EV vs ICE Tesla Model 3 BMW M340i xDrive
05:45 -Why Location matters for EVs
06:48 -CO2 Outputs for Vehicles
08:00 -Battery Production
10:13 -EV miles driven to be efficient
11:06 -Conclusion

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Sources:

2021 Nature study comparing total emissions:

EPA Power Profiles:

Tailpipe emissions calculator:

Sources of emissions, shows that transportation is #1, and that light duty vehicles are the #1 contributor:

Argonne model:

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[timkemp]

You added a CO2 offset for the manufacturing of the EV battery but didn't take into account all of the additional parts in an ICE vehicle. They may not be equivalent to the battery pack, but they take a lot to manufacture, and over the life of the vehicle they require a lot more resources to maintain.

[guptasunny]

Can we see a more accurate comparison taking in to account the manufacturing of combustion engine vehicles

[Breva]

Wouldn’t it be fair if you include how much CO2 is produced refining the oil to gasoline?

[CraigMatsuura]

Did I miss the carbon foot print to produce gas (oil drilling and refining), seems that needs to be part of the calculating if we are doing the same for a battery that only produces that once when the battery is created verse refining all the time and oil drilling.

[LuckTR]

I get that there is essentially no "free lunch" to be had, but I do know one thing...Standing in a traffic jam surrounded by EVs vs ICE cars is undeniable win win...for me and for the environment.

An electricity generating power station running on petrol powering say 10, 000 electric cars. Compared to 10, 000 petrol cars the power station will use way less petrol for the same number of miles travelled.

[OnTheSnap]

You left out the co2 footprint from converting raw oil to gasoline.

[looky-looky]

What about emissions from mining and smelting Fe/Al/other metals for gas engine and transmissions?

[EthanOCallahan-ub]

10:04 but how much energy is required to manufacture and assemble a gas bmw?

[MaxwellSpector]

I would love to see a follow-up considering the choice between keeping an existing gas vehicle vs a new ev. The cost to the environment in building a brand new ev in total vs keeping the gas vehicle I own on the road.

[mscalabrin]

Great in-depth analysis, and thanks to CNET for pulling it all together. One thing to consider. You covered the carbon cost of EV batteries, but what about the carbon cost of manufacturing parts for the petrol vehicles. I understand it's not a 1 to 1 comparison, and I know EV batteries are a factor, but there are other factors as well. Im sure it ends up being a rabbit hole type of scenario, but just looking for the most equal comparison. Would also love to see a state by state breakdown too. Thanks!

[Firestorm]

Ultimately people want something that is cheap to fuel and to maintain. Plus filling up at home with solar panels saves gas and home electricity. EV’s just need new tires every few years as low maintenance costs.

[MichaelReed]

It would be interesting to also provide average life of the batteries in the EV before needing to be replaced and compared to similar life of consumables in a petroleum vehicle.

[JJs_playground]

At the beginning of its life an EV is more harmful to the environment, but as you own it longer EVs get cleaner compared to ICE cars. Because the power grid is gets cleaner and you don't have as much maintenance, so less brake changes. Also no oil changes, transmission oil changes and air filters.

[pineforest]

I don't know if they're worse for the environment, but replacing the entire global fleet of billions of vehicles with EVs will sure create a "carbon footprint" the size of a brontosaurus, just through the mining, manufacturing, etc etc.

[jasonpaulwhiting]

Others have stated it. Gasoline powered cars typically use around 30, 000 parts. EVs typically have about half that. An extra 15, 000 parts per vehicle, primarily all in the engine compartment, has to have a large manufacturing Co2 footprint.

[ericb.]

WOAH! Since you are adding in the CO2 crated in making the TESLA battery pack how about ALSO figuring in the CO2 created in making the BMW's power train?

[airwolf]

I agree, if you are going to take into account the cost of producing the battery pack, what is the CO2 cost of pumping, shipping and refining petroleum into gasoline? Plus if you want to be more detail, EVs does not require engine oil which adding the cost of production and recycling of engine oil will make the EV more green for the environment.

[Edwardmodos]

Now do the Honda Accord Hybrid or even better, the Toyota Camry Hybrid LE. Comparing a 350 hp sports sedan is a bit misleading...

[robintaylor]

As a person that works in the oil industry, you haven't take in to consideration the amount of carbon that is produced from these Mines and the refineries not to mention distribution. The equipment that I operated went through over 1000 gallons of diesel every day. That just 1 truck .