Summary
The purpose of this study is to compare the emissions a battery electric vehicle (BEV) would create (factoring in vehicle embodiment, vehicle maintenance, electricity source emissions and upstream emissions) with those of a comparable internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV). This comparison is shown visually on a map of North America, with comparisons calculated for each region (provinces and territories in Canada, electrical grid subregions in the USA).
The results of the comparison are expressed in the following ways:
- MPGghg: The mileage that a comparable ICE vehicle would need to achieve in order to equal the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a battery electric car over the same distance with the lifetime emission sources factored in.
- The lifecycle percent reduction in total GHG emissions (for both vehicle and power source) of a BEV over its ICE counterpart.
- The annual reduction in tons of GHG emissions (for both vehicle and power source) of a BEV over its ICE counterpart.
- The distance that a new average BEV would need to be driven before the extra global warming emissions from its manufacture are offset by its lower emissions per mile or km.
