In the U.S., transportation is the single greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing 27% of the total share. Most transportation emissions are carbon dioxide, a byproduct of petroleum combustion. Because carbon dioxide is a significant driver of global climate change, reducing emissions is an important step in a multi-faceted approach to combating climate change.
One way to substantially reduce emissions from transportation is to transition to electric vehicles (EVs). EVs run on electric engines powered by batteries. The batteries must be charged via an electric outlet. (You can read more about the different types of outlets here.)
The primary environmental benefit of EVs is that they do not create tailpipe emissions. Although the electricity used to charge EVs can come from a variety of sources, including coal or gas power plants, driving an EV has a smaller carbon footprint than driving a gasoline vehicle. In addition, the percentage of cleaner, renewable energy on the U.S. electrical grid is steadily increasing, making EV-charging-related emissions decrease over time. The manufacturing process for EVs requires more carbon output than the manufacturing of a traditional gasoline vehicle, but even taking that into account, a recent study found that a long-range EV is still responsible for fewer lifetime emissions than a similar gasoline vehicle.
As EV battery technology has advanced, EVs have become more cost competitive with gasoline or diesel engine vehicles. Still, purchasing an electric vehicle in the U.S. is generally more expensive than buying a similar gasoline car, though EV fuel and maintenance costs tend to be lower. Some studies find that, on average, the total cost of an EV over time may be less expensive than that of a gas car; others find it is more expensive. The federal tax credit for many new EVs is up to $7,500 (though some makes and models are no longer eligible), and some states also provide incentives. Comparing costs of ownership is complicated and depends on many individual factors, such as insurance, charging station installation and/or location, utility costs, and local taxes.
Although EVs can handle a typical day’s worth of use on a single charge, range anxiety is one of the biggest barriers to adoption, especially in rural areas. EVs currently have a wide range of mileage capabilities and charging speeds, and current charging infrastructure is insufficient to accommodate widespread adoption. However, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was signed into law in 2021, includes the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding program, which is designed to help states install charging stations in significant travel corridors. To participate in the NEVI program, states must submit initial plans by August 1, 2022. Public workshops and forums and being held in many states during the summer of 2022 to gather stakeholder input. If you are interested in EV infrastructure or environmental issues, now is a great time to get involved in these conversations.
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