Study Suggests Hybrids Have Up to 5 Times More Lifetime Emissions Than EVs

Battery Electric Vehicles: The Cleanest Choice

A recent study by the International Council of Clean Transportation (ICCT) underscores the environmental benefits of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), revealing that they produce far fewer greenhouse gases over their entire lifecycle compared to hybrid and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The study, focusing on 2024 model year vehicles, assessed various powertrains, including traditional ICE vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and BEVs. The findings are clear: BEVs remain the cleanest overall option, particularly when charged using renewable energy sources.

Hybrid Vehicles: Not as Green as They Seem

The ICCT study found that hybrid vehicles, often touted as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional gasoline cars, are significantly dirtier than BEVs. Specifically, the study highlighted that hybrid sedans emit 2.2 times more greenhouse gases over their lifecycle than BEVs charged from the average grid, while hybrid SUVs emit 2.5 times more. The situation becomes even more pronounced when comparing these vehicles to BEVs charged with 100% renewable electricity, with hybrid SUVs producing up to 4.9 times the emissions.

Plug-In Hybrids: A Compromised Solution

Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), which combine elements of both electric and internal combustion powertrains, were also found to lag behind BEVs in terms of lifecycle emissions. The study reported that PHEV sedans and SUVs emit roughly twice as much greenhouse gas as their fully electric counterparts. These findings challenge the perception of PHEVs as a middle ground between traditional hybrids and BEVs, suggesting that they offer only limited environmental benefits.

Internal Combustion Engines: The Worst Offenders

The study's findings are even more stark when it comes to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. According to the ICCT, ICE SUVs produce 3.5 times more emissions than BEVs when charged from the average grid. The disparity grows when renewable energy is used for charging, with ICE SUVs emitting up to 6.7 times more greenhouse gases than their BEV equivalents. These numbers underscore the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuel-powered vehicles in the fight against climate change.

Future Projections: The Growing Advantage of BEVs

Looking ahead, the ICCT study predicts that the environmental advantages of BEVs will only increase. By 2030, as the electricity grid continues to decarbonize and BEV technology improves, the gap between BEVs and other vehicle types is expected to widen further. For instance, ICE SUVs from the 2030 model year are projected to have 7.5 times higher lifecycle emissions than BEVs powered by renewable energy. This trend highlights the diminishing role of hybrids and PHEVs in achieving significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Editor's note: It's important to consider that this study focuses primarily on the emissions produced by each vehicle powertrain category. However, when taking into consideration the overall effect of these cars on our environment, it's crucial to take into account the millions of tons of used batteries that will be taken out of the rotation, often with no sustainable recycling plan in place for them, which could prove catastrophic for our planet's ecosystem in the long term.