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Here's a comparison by emissions: http://shrinkthatfootprint.com/electric-cars-green http://shrinkthatfootprint.com/electric-cars-green 2015 US electricity gen

Here's a comparison by emissions: http://shrinkthatfootprint.com/electric-cars-green http://shrinkthatfootprint.com/electric-cars-green 2015 US electricity generation by source: ( https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=427&t=3 https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=427&t=3 ) Coal = 33% Natural gas = 33% Nuclear = 20% Hydropower = 6% Other renewables = 7% Biomass = 1.6% Geothermal = 0.4% Solar = 0.6% Wind = 4.7% Petroleum = 1% Other gases = <1% I've written before about the higher weight of EVs (a Tesla S weighs ~4600-~4900# vs some 80s cars weighing under 2000 or much lighter modern cars), drag coefficients (tesla is better but there have been other vehicles close even a decade or two ago), recycling of batteries, etc. The article I linked puts the EV equivalent mileage in the low 40s, which is the same as we can get with efficient ICE vehicles already. I'm not saying that their math is perfect and their picture complete (e.g. You also need electricity to make coal mining equipment and diesel to power oil tankers) but it looks like they did quite a bit of research and found that it's roughly the same right now. I'm personally annoyed at all of the people thinking they're totally saving the environment by driving their Prius / Tesla / Leaf / whatever. I think it's ignorance at best and greenwashing a lot of the time. The gist is that driving is bad for the environment regardless of what your car runs on. Bicycles or walking or living closer to the things you do every day is a better idea, and I wish more people would promote that vs ~don't change your habits, just buy a new car and Earth will be saved.

Finnucane 11y ago
That may be true, but those numbers surely aren't the only issues with oil dependency. Much of our current domestic gas & oil production depends on fracking, and a lot of oil is produced globally in regions where oil money supports autocratic regimes. Where I live, I feel fortunate that work is only a 20 min. bike ride away. Surely a lot of people do want to rely on their cars less--the most in-demand neighborhoods around here for housing are the ones with the best public transit access, but of course that means there's not enough investment in improving access in other areas. Part of that though is less about the environment than the fact that traffic is unbearable.
toomuchtodo 11y ago
Small quibble: Coal is down to 28% percent of US electrical generation, and will continue to be crowded out by solar, wind, and natural gas. Every one of the largest coal mining companies in the US are in bankruptcy. 98% of generation this year coming online is solar and wind. Coal will be completely removed from generation in 5-10 years; natural gas in 15. You are helping save the world by buying a Tesla; those 20-30% margins on the Model S and X are paying for the Supercharger network (which is required for mass adoption of EVs) and the Gigafactory (required to build out ~50GW/year of energy storage for homes, utilities, and of course, vehicles). Cars are not going away any time soon. Therefore, its best to make every effort to make them as clean as possible.

Finnucane 11y ago

That may be true, but those numbers surely aren't the only issues with oil dependency. Much of our current domestic gas & oil production depends on fracking, and a lot of oil is produced globally in regions where oil money supports autocratic regimes. Where I live, I feel fortunate that work is only a 20 min. bike ride away. Surely a lot of people do want to rely on their cars less--the most in-demand neighborhoods around here for housing are the ones with the best public transit access, but of course that means there's not enough investment in improving access in other areas. Part of that though is less about the environment than the fact that traffic is unbearable.

toomuchtodo 11y ago

Small quibble: Coal is down to 28% percent of US electrical generation, and will continue to be crowded out by solar, wind, and natural gas. Every one of the largest coal mining companies in the US are in bankruptcy. 98% of generation this year coming online is solar and wind. Coal will be completely removed from generation in 5-10 years; natural gas in 15. You are helping save the world by buying a Tesla; those 20-30% margins on the Model S and X are paying for the Supercharger network (which is required for mass adoption of EVs) and the Gigafactory (required to build out ~50GW/year of energy storage for homes, utilities, and of course, vehicles). Cars are not going away any time soon. Therefore, its best to make every effort to make them as clean as possible.