EVs Overtake Gas Cars in Emissions Savings After 2 Years

According to a recent study published in PLOS Climate, electric vehicles (EVs) are proving their worth when it comes to long-term emissions. While building an EV creates about 30% more CO2 upfront due to battery production, that gap closes quickly once the car is on the road. By the end of the second year of normal driving, an EV overtakes a gas-powered vehicle in total CO2 savings, and the advantage continues to widen over time.

The study, which examined how manufacturing, fuel production, and vehicle operation affect both climate and air quality, found that each additional kilowatt-hour of EV battery capacity is projected to eliminate roughly 485 pounds of CO2 by 2030 and about 280 pounds by 2050. This reflects the continued progress in electricity generation and efficiency gains across the EV industry. Over an estimated 18-year lifespan, gas-powered vehicles are found to produce two to three and a half times more pollution-related damage than electric ones.

As the U.S. power grid shifts toward cleaner energy sources like wind, solar, and nuclear, charging electric cars becomes progressively less carbon-intensive, further strengthening the case for a large-scale EV transition. The study's authors note that the analysis does not include emissions from recycling or charging infrastructure, yet it remains one of the most thorough long-term views of EV adoption and its effects on the economy and environment.