A recent study released by The University of Minnesota entitled Life Cycle Air Quality Impacts of Conventional and Alternative Light-duty Transportation in the United States shows that electric vehicles (EVs) powered by low-emitting energy sources reduce environmental health impacts by 50 per cent or more compared to conventional gasoline and are the best option for reducing air pollution and emissions in the light-duty transportation sector.
The study examined the air pollution impacts of different sources of fuel, including gasoline, ethanol, diesel and electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The release of the study led to a surge in sensational headlines in the U.S. and Canada, slamming EVs for being worse for health and the environment than gasoline vehicles when fuelled with electricity generated from coal.
“Let’s not lose sight of the good news nor where the North American grid is headed,” said Jim R. Burpee, President and CEO of the Canadian Electricity Association. “In Canada, close to 90 per cent of our electricity is already generated using non-coal sources, and in the U.S., aggressive actions to decarbonize the electric power sector are in place with more on the way. This includes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “Clean Power Plan” proposal that is expected to be finalized this coming June which aims to reduce carbon emissions from U.S. electric power by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030.”
“This study confirms that EVs provide significant air emissions benefits,”
said Cara Clairman, President and CEO of Plug’n Drive. “And even with gas prices below $1.00 per litre, drivers can save more than $2,000 per year on fuel alone. Fuelled by locally-made clean electricity, consumers are putting their money into locally-made infrastructure and local jobs, making EVs good for the local economy.”