FYI: A recent study by the International Council of Clean Transportation (ICCT) reveals that hybrid vehicles could generate up to 4.9 times more greenhouse emissions over their life cycle compared to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) charged with renewable energy.
Hybrid Cars Lag Behind Battery Electric Vehicles in Emissions
A fascinating study by the International Council of Clean Transportation (ICCT) sheds new light on the environmental impacts of hybrid vehicles. While hybrid cars are often lauded alongside battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for clean and sustainable transportation, the reality might be quite different. The study suggests that hybrid vehicles can be up to 4.9 times more polluting than battery electric vehicles charged with renewable energy.
2024 Vehicles Under the Microscope
To provide a contemporary snapshot of the automotive industry, the ICCT focused on model year 2024 vehicles. The study evaluated the life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of four primary vehicle powertrains:
- Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles
- Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
Comprehensive Emissions Analysis
The study’s life-cycle analysis encompasses emissions from vehicle manufacturing to disposal. This holistic approach counteracts common claims against electric vehicles, particularly the assertion that the emissions produced during battery manufacturing make BEVs more polluting than traditional cars.
Emissions Breakdown
According to the ICCT, electric cars, especially those powered by renewable resources, remain the cleanest option. Even when charged using the average electricity grid, BEVs outperform their counterparts. The findings highlight:
- BEV sedans and SUVs exhibit the lowest life-cycle GHG emissions.
- 2024 PHEVs produce approximately double the emissions over their lifetime compared to BEVs charged by an average grid.
- Hybrid sedans and SUVs emit 2.2 and 2.5 times more GHGs, respectively, than their BEV counterparts.
- Conventional internal combustion engine vehicles show the highest emissions, going up to 3.5 times in comparison to BEVs, with SUVs being particularly high polluters.
The disparity is even more pronounced when BEVs are charged using 100% renewable energy, resulting in HEV SUVs having up to 4.9 times more GHG emissions and ICE SUVs producing 6.7 times more.
Future Outlook: Cleaner BEVs
The ICCT anticipates that BEVs will continue to improve environmentally. By 2030, it is projected that:
- ICE SUVs could have 7.5 times higher lifetime GHG emissions than BEVs powered by renewable electricity.
- Advanced PHEVs will still emit 2.1 to 2.2 times more GHGs than BEVs charged with grid-average electricity.
Conclusion
Overall, ICCT’s study reaffirms the growing environmental benefits of electric vehicles over hybrid and traditional internal combustion engine cars. With advancements in grid decarbonization and BEV efficiency, the gap in emissions between hybrids and electric cars is set to widen even further in favor of electric vehicles.
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William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
