GHG emissions emitted by vehicles in the U.S., by fuel type 2016
Greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles – additional information
There are several factors that contribute to the volume of emissions that a vehicle emits , including the vehicle’s type, size, and age , weather conditions , vehicle maintenance , and how the vehicle is driven. The type of fuel used is also a strong determinant of emissions released. In the United States, an average conventional (gasoline-fueled) car emits about 381 grams of carbon dioxide equivalents per mile, in comparison to an electric car that runs on battery power, which emits about 154 grams of carbon dioxide equivalents per mile. However, some critics may argue that the amount of emissions released during the manufacture of an electric car and its battery surpass that of a conventional car. Nevertheless, a conventional car’s emissions throughout its life cycle largely outweigh those of an electric vehicle.
Petroleum-fueled vehicles are expected to account for 1.6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in the United States in 2040, while electricity-fueled vehicles are expected to account for 9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in the overall transportation sector. In efforts to lower emissions from passenger vehicles, carbon dioxide limits have been implemented on cars across the world. By 2015, the carbon dioxide threshold was expected to be 157 grams per kilometer in the United States and 130 grams per kilometer in the European Union . Due to the decrease in demand for coal as well as increased consumption of wind and solar energy, the advantages of electric cars continue to improve.