Categories: CleanTech Bites

EV lifecycle emissions just a fraction of petrol and diesel cars in major economies

Published by

The Driven

Lifecycle electric vehicle emissions – are they really lower than petrol and diesel cars?

It seems to be a question of ongoing debate, although we wonder why it really is given the overwhelming evidence that make it clear that EVs emit considerably less than ICE (internal combustion engine) cars fuelled by petrol or diesel.

Recently, we published a report from researchers from Transport Energy/Emission Research (TER) who found that EVs beat ICE cars on emissions, even in a coal-dominated grid. And the reductions were substantial in Australian states with a high share of renewables. See EVs smash petrol cars on emissions, even with a coal-powered grid.

Now, new research from Bloomberg New Energy Finance comes to a similar conclusion when comparing the emissions of EVs and ICE cars in five major economies: China, the US, Germany, France and the UK.

“The lifecycle CO2 emissions of medium segment battery electric cars produced in 2020 and used for 250,000km would be between 18% and 87% lower than those of equivalent internal combustion engine vehicles in the five countries included in this report,” the BNEF analysts say.

To read the full version of this story, please go to our EV-focussed sister site, The Driven and click here…

Giles Parkinson is founder and editor-in-chief of Renew Economy, and founder and editor of its EV-focused sister site The Driven. He is the co-host of the weekly Energy Insiders Podcast. Giles has been a journalist for more than 40 years and is a former deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review. You can find him on LinkedIn and on Twitter.

Giles Parkinson

Giles Parkinson is founder and editor-in-chief of Renew Economy, and founder and editor of its EV-focused sister site The Driven. He is the co-host of the weekly Energy Insiders Podcast. Giles has been a journalist for more than 40 years and is a former deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review. You can find him on LinkedIn and on Twitter.

Recent Posts

Wind farm customers want “shape”, and investors need certainty – and both are struggling to get it

Customers want "more shape" in their wind PPAs and investors want more certainty. One solution…

1 May 2026

As home battery numbers surge to new peaks, hardly anyone is installing just solar any more

Home battery installs continue to surge, with only a tiny minority choosing solar only, and…

1 May 2026

Another wind farm to be “paired” with delayed giant shock absorber battery, but the comms will be costly

Another wind farm has been contacted to deliver "paired generation" services to the large but…

1 May 2026

Renewable developer looks to Australian outback for 10 gigawatts of wind, solar and battery projects

Tilt Renewables is seeking up to 10 GW of wind, solar and battery projects in…

1 May 2026

Webinar: The battery rebate is changing. Are you ready?

Join us in this webinar to break down what home battery rebate changes mean for…

30 April 2026

“They will smash renewable energy investment:” State energy minister goes on attack as election looms

With state election looming and polls showing a tight race, energy minister goes on the…

30 April 2026