EVs Clear Winners: Produce 73 % Less Lifetime Emissions Than ICE Cars, Says New Report

Electric cars are becoming a powerful solution to climate change. A new study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has found that battery electric vehicles (EVs) now create 73 percent less pollution over their lifetime compared to petrol cars. This is a major improvement and shows just how fast clean technology is moving.

A Huge Drop in Emissions

The ICCT study shows that modern electric cars produce only 63 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre over their full life. This includes everything from building the car to driving it and scrapping it. Petrol cars, in comparison, release about 235 grams for every kilometre.

This shows how much cleaner EVs have become. In fact, the 73 percent reduction is 24 percent better than similar results from four years ago.

As Dr. Marta Negri, the lead researcher, explains, "Battery electric cars in Europe are getting cleaner faster than we expected and outperform all other technologies, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids."

Battery Manufacturing: Less of a Problem Now

People often say electric vehicles pollute more when they are built because of the battery. It’s true that battery-making creates more emissions at the start. In fact, 40 to 60 percent of an EV’s production emissions come from the battery.

But this extra pollution is made up quickly once the EV is on the road. The study found that an electric car becomes cleaner than a petrol car after just 17,000 kilometres. That’s about one to two years of regular use. As battery factories improve and power grids become cleaner, this gap is closing even faster.

Cleaner Electricity Means Cleaner EVs

Electric vehicles do even better when they are charged with clean power like wind or solar energy. In that case, the total emissions drop by 78 percent compared to petrol cars, going down to just 52 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

This also proves that where your electricity comes from really matters. Even in areas where power comes from coal or gas, EVs still perform better because electric motors are much more efficient. While petrol engines convert only 16 to 25 percent of fuel into motion, electric motors convert up to 91 percent of electricity into movement.

Hybrids Lag Behind

Some people think hybrid cars are a good middle ground. But the numbers tell a different story. According to the ICCT, regular hybrids produce about 20 percent fewer emissions than petrol cars. Plug-in hybrids do slightly better, reducing emissions by 30 percent. Still, this is far behind the 73 percent cut achieved by full electric vehicles.

This makes one thing clear. While hybrids help a little, going fully electric makes the biggest difference for the environment.

More Buyers Are Choosing Electric

Electric vehicles are not just cleaner. They are also becoming more popular. In 2024, EV sales reached over 17 million units worldwide, growing by 25 percent from the previous year. This rise is being driven by better batteries, more charging points, and rising awareness of climate change.

Transport is one of the hardest sectors to make greener. But this new research proves that EVs are not just moving pollution somewhere else. They are actually cutting it down in a real and measurable way.

A Cleaner Future Is in Motion

The 73 percent drop in emissions is only the beginning. As battery technology improves and more power comes from renewable sources, electric vehicles will become even cleaner.

For people thinking about their next car, the answer is becoming clearer. EVs are not just cleaner on the road. They are cleaner throughout their whole life, from the factory to the driveway.

This shift is more than just a change in vehicles. It is a sign that the world is moving toward a better, cleaner way to travel. As more countries support electric cars and cut back on petrol and diesel, this study shows a real way forward. Electric vehicles are leading the way into a cleaner future for all.