Electric Cars Are 73% Cleaner, ICCT Study Shows - CleanTechnica

A recent study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) reveals that battery electric cars (BEVs) sold in Europe emit nearly four times less greenhouse gases over their lifetime compared to gasoline cars, making them about 73% cleaner overall. The study rigorously addresses common misconceptions, particularly the claim that BEVs have higher emissions due to battery manufacturing. While battery production does generate roughly 40% more emissions initially, this "emissions debt" is typically offset after about 17,000 kilometers of driving—usually within the first one to two years of use in Europe. The ICCT emphasizes that their life cycle analysis incorporates real-world data, including vehicle production, fuel and electricity generation, maintenance, and recycling, as well as the evolving electricity grid mix over the vehicle’s lifetime. The study also highlights a 25% reduction in lifetime emissions from battery electric cars over the past four years, largely due to the increasing share of renewable energy in Europe’s electricity generation. In contrast, hybrids