Electric vehicles (EVs) are proving to be more environmentally friendly over their lifespan, despite a higher initial carbon footprint during manufacturing. A recent peer-reviewed study highlights that, after approximately two years of regular driving, EVs surpass traditional gasoline-powered cars in total CO2 savings—a gap that only widens with time thanks to cleaner energy sources powering the grid.

Conducted by researchers Pankaj Sadavarte, Drew Shindell, and Daniel Loughlin, the study published in PLOS Climate analyzes the entire lifecycle of vehicles, including manufacturing, fuel production, and operation. Using advanced modeling, the researchers found that while producing EVs emits about 30% more CO2 upfront, this difference diminishes rapidly once the vehicle is on the road. By the end of two years, EVs emit significantly less carbon overall, with benefits increasing as renewable energy replaces coal and natural gas.

Energy transition projections suggest that by 2050, more than 94% of electricity will come from wind, solar, and nuclear sources, further reducing EV emissions. Experts confirm that switching to EVs, especially in regions with a clean energy mix, can cut a driver’s carbon footprint substantially and improve air quality by decreasing pollutants like nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide.

Despite some limitations—such as emissions from recycling and infrastructure—the study provides compelling evidence: for those owning their cars more than two years, switching to electric offers clear environmental and health advantages long-term.

David Nield

Dave is a freelance tech journalist with over 20 years covering gadgets, apps, and the web. From Stockport, England, he covers news, features, and reviews for TechRadar, focusing on phones, tablets, and wearables. He ensures top weekend breaking news and has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci, and others. He edited PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook for years. Read me on x.com or linkedin.