Well-To-Wheels Emissions Data for Plug-In Hybrids (PHEV) and Fully Electric Vehicles (FEV)

PHEVs reduce CO2 emissions by 67% compared with the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine). FEVs reduce CO2 emissions by 99% compared with the ICE. If all North American cars were FEVs, they’d reduce global warming emissions. Using electricity strictly from coal, FEV still would reduce CO2 by 59% compared with ICE, and 49% compared with PHEV. FEV almost surely reduce W2W greenhouse gas emissions compared with ICE or HEV (Hybrid gas-electric vehicle - GM Volt), because so much of the CO2 comes from burning gasoline. FEV get cleaner as the grid gets cleaner with the addition of more renewable power, but ICE creates more exhaust as they age. FEVs have the added advantage of moving emissions away from population centers (where ICE tailpipes pollute the most). It is simpler to regulate emissions from a smaller number of power plants than from 200 million tailpipes. Overall, FEVs create fewer emissions by using cleaner, cheaper, domestic electricity.