A new lifecycle analysis from researchers at the University of Michigan confirms that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have lower greenhouse gas emissions over their full lifetime than any other vehicle type, regardless of where you live in the contiguous U.S.

Published in Environmental Science & Technology, the study was co-authored by faculty and researchers affiliated with the U-M Electric Vehicle Center and the Center for Sustainable Systems. 

The study looked at 35 different combinations of vehicle class and powertrain, including sedans, SUVs, and pickups with gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full battery electric systems, and applied real-world variables such as driving behavior, cargo load, and regional grid cleanliness.

Among the takeaways:

• In every county in the continental U.S., EVs outperformed gas-powered vehicles on emissions.

• A BEV pickup hauling 2,500 pounds still emitted less than 30% of a gas pickup carrying nothing.

• The most efficient vehicle class was the compact BEV sedan with a 200-mile range.

• Switching from an ICE pickup to a hybrid saves 23% in emissions; going full BEV cuts emissions by 75%.

The work was funded by the State of Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Electric Vehicle Center. To help consumers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, the team also created an interactive emissions calculator that lets drivers compare emissions by powertrain, vehicle type, region, and usage.