3 ms·

For the co2 equivalency analysis you really need to compare the total GHG byproduct of the production of each entire car and their fuels. The EV has a battery

For the co2 equivalency analysis you really need to compare the total GHG byproduct of the production of each entire car and their fuels. The EV has a battery which is energy intensive to produce, but some of that would also be required to build and engine/transmission etc. and extracting oil and turning it into gasoline and delivering it has GHG byproducts, as well as producing and delivering electricity.

jakswa 5y ago
Union of Concerned Scientists still did the most in-depth analysis I've seen, and they agree with the ~6mo-18mo time period to offset the more-intensive manufacturing. And it's so old now that I think you can assume the transition to cleaner grids has progressed further in some cases. https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/cleaner-cars-cradle-grave https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/cleaner-cars-cradle-grave
- exhilaration 5y ago
  Thank you for that link. They've summarized their analysis into a YouTube video as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9m9WDxmSN8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9m9WDxmSN8
  - jakswa 5y ago
    No problem! I keep it in mind because I keep hoping I see an updated report some day that goes that in-depth. Or possibly a report that refutes/contradicts what I've read. They dug into the USA regional energy mixes in the report I linked! And they claimed to include transmission + charging efficiency losses. I was surprised at how comprehensive it seemed. edit: this report https://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/11/Cleaner-Cars-from-Cradle-to-Grave-full-report.pdf https://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/11/Cl...