PetrolPlaza Talks: Impact analysis of EV vs ICE

What is the environmental impact of electric and internal combustion engine vehicles across their life cycle? The Fuels Institute and Ricardo Strategic Consulting try to answer this complex question in a new study.

PetrolPlaza spoke to John Eichberger, Executive Director at the Fuels Institute, about some of the key findings of their report ‘Life Cycle Analysis Comparison: Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles.’

This report evaluates and compares the life cycle environmental impact of internal combustion vehicles and electric vehicles (ICEV, BEV and HEV) and the energy sources that power them, as well as the corresponding total cost of ownership that affects consumers.

Over a 200,000-mile lifetime and based on the U.S. average electricity mix, battery electric vehicles emit 41% fewer carbon emissions than ICEs and 29% less than a hybrid electric vehicle. Many external factors have an impact on the life time carbon emissions but the characteristics of the grid is by the far the most important.

This report leverages findings from existing literature and research from government agencies, private corporations, and academic institutions as well as from a customized life cycle assessment model developed specifically to verify and test the findings of the report.

Read the full report here.