Largely speaking, the claim that electric vehicles are worse for the environment in comparison to gas cars is untrue. While it is true that the production of EVs and their batteries contribute to more carbon emissions upfront compared to gas powered cars, there are multiple scientific studies that show that over a course of a car’s lifetime EVs emit substantially lower greenhouse gases.
This misconception is likely rooted in the manufacturing phase of cars, as battery production involves mining and refining resources leading to large environmental consequences. The MIT Climate Panel stats that, “building the 80 kWh lithium-ion battery … creates between 2.5 and 16 metric tons of CO2 … This intensive battery manufacturing means that building a new EV can produce around 80% more emissions than building a comparable gas-powered car”. However, this is just one part of the larger view, because once on the road, EVs generate literally no tailpipe emissions. According to the International Council on Clean Transportation, “emissions over the lifetime of average medium-size BEVs [battery electric vehicles] registered today are already lower than comparable gasoline cars by 66%–69% in Europe, 60%–68% in the United States, 37%–45% in China, and 19%–34% in India”.
Furthermore, EVs have a break-even point wherein their operational emissions outweigh their manufacturing, as cited by Reuters, “drive another 13,500 miles (21,725 km) before you're doing less harm to the environment than a gas-guzzling saloon”.
Thus, the claim is unfounded and overall, an EV is better for the environment compared to a gas-powered car.
