🔋 MIT just published the most comprehensive EV emissions study yet, analyzing every US zip code with real driving data.
Battery EVs cut lifetime emissions 40-60% vs gas cars in most locations. Even on the dirtiest grid in the country, they still come out ahead. The study used DOE's GREET lifecycle model, which already includes battery manufacturing. So the "but what about making the batteries?" question is answered: building an EV produces 50-80% more CO2 upfront, but it pays that back over the vehicle's life.
Your driving habits matter as much as where you live. High mileage, city driving, and larger vehicles all boost the EV advantage. Cold weather cuts efficiency on a frigid night but barely dents annual savings.
The "who benefits from the doubt?" question has a paper trail. The API has run anti-EV messaging since 1967. Koch-funded groups planned $10M/year campaigns. AFPM dropped $10M+ on "Don't Ban Our Cars" ads in 2024 swing states.
news.mit.edu/2026/us-drivers-e…
For most US drivers, EVs offer emissions benefits and cost savings
In most U.S. zip codes, electric vehicles are cost-competitive with their gas-powered counterparts, according to a new study.MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Su_G
in reply to jcrabapple • • •Ron Martin-Siebler ZHOU
in reply to jcrabapple • • •andrew773
in reply to jcrabapple • • •Petr Skála
in reply to jcrabapple • • •Edward
in reply to jcrabapple • • •Crystal Huff (they/them)
in reply to jcrabapple • • •I wonder if US cities will start charging extra for old cars like London has. Do you know of any US cities that have proposed such changes? I have only seen items on London and UK suburbs.
apnews.com/article/london-car-…
Paul_stilgar
in reply to jcrabapple • • •Nothing replaces the test of the garage .
Put an ev in a closed garage , stay inside and start it .
Wait 10 mins
Put an ice car in a closed garage , stay inside and start it .
Wait 10 mins . Huh forget the next test.
#ev
Todd Thomas
in reply to jcrabapple • • •I wonder how much better EVs would come out if you also took into account all the emissions along the whole fuel pipeline to get it to the gas station.
@timbray
Orrock LXXXVI XLVII
in reply to jcrabapple • • •Urban Hermit
in reply to jcrabapple • • •best thing I have read in a month.
Between solar power (big wind and distributed panels) and electric cars, stopping a run away green house effect is entirely going to happen. No more climate despair. Your grand children will not have to play in air conditioned domes and call that "going outside".
And it happened because really smart people continued and continue to care about efficiency - which changes the economics in favor of solutions smart people care about.
Daniel Souto
in reply to jcrabapple • • •