Electric vehicles are often touted as being “zero-emission,” but this is a bit misleading. While EVs have zero tailpipe emissions, they are still responsible for emitting greenhouse gas emissions. Just look at the massive GMC Hummer EV, which tips the scales at over 9,000 pounds, largely thanks to its ~2,900-pound battery stuffed with refined rare earth materials like nickel, cobalt, manganese and aluminum.
GMC Hummer EV battery
According to a recent study conducted by a nonprofit research organization called the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the significant size and weight of the GMC Hummer EV means it is technically less efficient than a Chevy Malibu. This is because about 60 percent of electricity in the U.S. is generated by burning fossil fuels, so there will be emissions produced from charging EVs until the energy grid is carbon-free, which are known as upstream emissions. For this reason, a Hummer EV technically emits 341 grams of C02 per mile driven, whereas a Chevy Malibu emits 320 grams per mile, the research firm claims.
It’s not all bad news for GM in this study, though. The Chevy Bolt EV is relatively light for a current-day EV at 3,589 pounds and has strong efficiency of 28 kWh per 100 miles. This compares well with the Tesla Model 3, one of the most efficient EVs on sale today, which weighs 3,552 pounds in Long Range RWD guise and has an efficiency rating of about 25 kWh per 100 miles. The Hummer EV is a halo product intended to offer off-road prowess and on-road performance and is, therefore, a bit of an outlier in GM’s EV portfolio. The only available Hummer variant at the moment also produces 1,000 horsepower, so one could argue that it’s actually quite impressive that it has similar efficiency to a midsize passenger car, considering its performance level and weight.
Automakers can improve the efficiency of their EVs by implementing more efficient electric motors, better aerodynamics, or better regenerative braking systems, ACEEE researchers say, but weight is still the biggest factor when it comes to efficiency. As batteries account for a large percentage of an EV’s overall weight, automakers that can engineer lighter, more energy-dense batteries will have an advantage in the coming years.
It’s worth noting that this calculation does not take into account the manufacturing process for the Malibu and the Hummer, the latter of which involves a complicated supply chain of rare earth metals that are often pulled from the ground through C02-intensive mining operations. This study only looks at the driving efficiency of EVs, a factor that ACEEE researchers say automakers and lawmakers should pay more attention to as the U.S. continues to rely on fossil fuels to produce the bulk of its energy. A lighter and more efficient EV will also need a smaller battery, which by nature requires less rare earth material and would therefore be more eco-friendly over its lifetime.
“As EVs proliferate, their efficiency should be a priority for policymakers,” ACEEE said. “Just as efficiency of gasoline-powered vehicles has numerous benefits for the environment and consumers, greater EV efficiency does too.”
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Comments
Sam, you could have done a better job at clarifying, earlier in the article. Especially knowing the nut jobs on this forum, who comment without fully reading an article.
Headlines today aren’t written for clarity, they’re written for click bait. Doesn’t matter if its GM Authority, Fox, MSNBC, whatever. The actual story is too often wildly different or more complex than the lead indicates. Mindless people eat it up though, so the trend continues.
No matter what is said or written we are at least a decade away from EV vehicles. IF EVER!
But it meets the numbers the government forces on the mfg.
This is not about clean it is about survival of the industry.
Some of these idiots want us on bikes.
Nothing is zero emissions if you are alive.
The Industry had its chance of survival.
Instead of marketing & promoting the Chevy Cruze Diesel which already meets the CAFE regulations of 54+ mpg they let it wither and cancel it.
Ditto for the Terrain and Equinox Diesel.
GM will never be taken seriously about its claims of caring about the environment.
They. Didn’t. Sell. Well.
Could GM have done a better job promoting the diesel versions? Sure. But the demand was not good after the initial excitement. You can argue that GM is making a much bigger fuel economy impact with the 3.0L Inline six diesel in the pickups. People are getting drastically better mileage than the gas versions.
In the end, this article is more about the failings of the US to build a clean power infrastructure. In 2022, with all our climate problems, it does not make sense that there are still coal fired power plants. Hydro, solar, wind, and even nuclear power should be a focus for every state.
THATS WHAT IVE BEEN SAYING THIS WHOLE TIME!!
This is what I’ve been saying: A Hummer EV is worse for the environment than a reasonably sized ICE car. GM actually dropped the cleaner Sonic and Cruz and similar products in favor of the very non-green gigantic EV. In addition to the case made by this study, in places like GM’s hometown of Detroit that are highly reliant on coal (50 percent of the DTE’s energy) a Hummer is much worse for the environment than a Malibu.
FF Energy producers are so desperate.
Too bad consumers understand dirty electricity is their fault and their problem. Not ours. They can whine all they want, but dirty fossil fuel energy is expensive and inefficient. It’s a supply side issue; not a demand problem.
These morons had 40+ years to invest in nuclear, then wind, then solar. They chose to lobby and drill instead and now it’s bighting them in the ass.
Your claim that fossil fuel energy is expensive and inefficient is patently false. I work for a large energy utility, and both coal and Natural Gas are THE cheapest ways to generate power. Combined-cycle natural gas can reach upwards of 85% effiency, while the best solar panels we have nowadays are barely reaching 25%. Add in carbon capture and you’re down to basically zero GHGs. The only reason renewables are approaching cost per/KwH of conventional sources is because they are highly subsidized by government. And don’t even get me started on how renewables can completely replace conventional sources of power as they are too unreliabile and unpredicable to serve as baseload power. The only sources of stable baseload are conventional (coal, natural gas) hydroelectric, and nuclear.
Not saying we shouldn’t be moving towards cleaner sources…we definitely can and should eliminate use of coal. But until there is widespread adoption of nuclear across the world, we cannot realistically ever eliminate the use of fossil fuels for generation.
This article really should have a huge DUH attached to it. Over the time, I’ve commented on several articles on here about this very thing. Some may recall that I actually quoted Toyota (of all things!!) in a study they did internally about 12 to 15 years ago now. In their study, they compared the carbon footprint of their Prius with the 4×4 V6 4 Runner. In that study, they showed that the overall footprint of the Prius was higher than the 4 Runner from start to end of (vehicle) life. This is still very true today.
What I’ve said before and will continue to say is that this EV thing will only work if: 1. They quickly learn how to re-purpose the old batteries or totally recycle them. 2. We must rely on clean energy sources to generate more electricity. 3. We absolutely can’t use the fact that the vehicle is an EV and thus make it as big and stupid as possible and then drive them like it was just stolen.
I’ve also said that ICE should not and probably will not go away 100%. In some form or fashion, we will need them. However, they must continue to make them more efficient and environmentally friendly.
I think I saw in a similar study recently that an EV only becomes more environmentally-friendly than an ICE vehicle after they reach 130,000 km. Because that is the equivalent footprint of mining, extracting, and processing all the metals needed to build the battery.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know this! Way back when the first Prius land on our shore the tree
huggers were walking around with their nose in the air pointing fingers, thinking they were holier than thou.
If you told those halfwits that that it polluted more because it came here on a cargo ship using all the pollution
from the material and manufacturing they didn’t want to hear it. Farts are pollution. NOTHING IS POLLUTION FREE!!!
Al: The problem is that others come on here and read this and then just jump on the anti-EV or anti anything environmental. That is NOT what the world needs. Were and are most Prius drivers like that? Sure. But let’s not let that type of thing curtail what must be done. I think everyone on here understands that nothing is pollution free, but that doesn’t give us the green light to just all be wasteful and not care. Here’s a few steps everyone can and should do to help make a difference:
1. For those where EV’s are good to use, get one.
2. Stop driving so freeking fast! Slow down and save some fuel.
3. Properly inflate all tires or go 1 or 2 pounds over the recommended pressure.
4. Consolidate driving trips and conserve.
5. Keep your vehicle properly maintained.
6. As a nation and world-wide: Work on clean energy for the future.
I could go on and on, but my point is made. It’s not all about every one of us getting an EV. But there sure are a lot of things that every one of us can do. But tossing your hands in the air and saying I told you so isn’t a solution.
The mindset of you people is insane. Cutting back on your carbon footprint, even slightly, equates to hiding in a basement and not living? Like taking the civic to grocery store instead of your jacked up f350 is just too much to ask, despite that “sacrifice” being so insanely small.
I’m sure you are a “Patriot” while not actually doing anything for your countryman, other plastering the American flag everything you own.
People can do what they want it’s America you don’t like it leave.
It’s hard to even picture a more brain-dead response. When was the last time you exercised the slightest degree of individual, critical thought?
A.M. Get it through your head. Canada has enough idiots who voted for Justin “Blackface” Trudeau… We do not need to import them from the States… BTW, What was done to your TRX??? They are a good truck right out of the box just like the FORD Raptor…
This is straight up misleading, and for an editor to greenlight it being posted is just stupid, and shows how misleading the staff is willing to be to promote ice over electric.
The hummer ev is worse than an ice if compared to the global energy consumption. So lots of petrol/coal plants. If you live in the EU or the USA the average is much much lower. If you live on the west coast of the USA it’s completely different.
The hummer ev is better than a rav4 if you consider the American electric grid. If you live in an area with nuclear or/solar/wind/hydro like most of the American west, it’s far cleaner than a rav4 which is far smaller and lighter.
Basically the very worst ev is still better than a fairly eco ice crossover if you live in America.
Finally, the BEV is generally worse off than an ICE, but that was always clear to us. Whether big or small.
The Hummer EV (BEV) with 1000HP and the weight and size is the bad thing about this EV SAV because nobody needs such a huge EV truck! I don’t see this Hummer EV as a marketing vehicle from GM anymore because it’s pointless. GM must therefore keep the annual volume of Hummer EV very low.
More importantly, from 2023 in the US, EV subsidies will only apply to small cars up to $30,000, 200HP, 3800lbs and 60kWh batteries – and only to PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS. And it always has to be checked why these huge price increases of often 6000$ take place with BEV – then no subsidies!
Regarding energy consumption, why are EV vehicles subsidized at all? Why aren’t there any guidelines from the EPA? Why are ICE penalized and BEV praised?
If an ICE only drinks 5 liters of petrol or diesel per 100km, it cannot be the case that a BEV of the same size consumes 18kWh of electricity.
So why are BEVs subsidized if energy destruction?
Dangerous accident opponents:
Also important is that these heavy BEVs are mostly 1200 pounds
are heavier than ICE vehicles and are therefore a danger in the event of an accident! Furthermore, heavy vehicles destroy the infrastructure. This is why BEVs will have to pay road taxes again from 2023.
Is it true that EVERY Tesla built, has 900lbs. of petroleum based products in it ?
Asking for AOC.
The current pandemic is donkey pox, not evs or ice. Donkey pox causes people to go along with these mind-numbing ideas that never pan out or cause the entire system to have to be changed to make work. Hence the literal power grab. They don’t actually care about the planet never have and never will, but the sheep that follow get in line and do what their told and push their ideas with fervor and passion. Not understanding that they are simply tied to an idea like a puppet to strings being dangled by the puppet masters. Power, control, power, control, it is all it has ever been about. Think about this, how long do you think it will take to get our grid where it needs to be so that only say 20 % of the population can drive evs like we drive ices. How long can we make evs with these batteries that have rare earth metals in them?? Called rare for a reason, not that they are rare in quantity but rare in mass quantities found together so to speak which means digging for rare earth metals makes digging for coal or drilling for oil look like child’s play. These are just a few things wonder and at the end of the day are we actually any cleaner, efficient, or better for the environment? Probably not but thats not what it was ever meant to be, wake up.
Amen! Well said! Nice to see others are awake and can actually think logically and for themselves!
Mr Donkey pox survivor…like Grandpa said ” Some folks just don’t got all.”
20% EV adoption would require around 5% increase in electrical grid capacity. That is well within the historical annual increase in capacity in the US, but more than recent increases.
EV batteries do not contain rare earth metals. However, 11 percent of all rare earth materials produced are used in oil refining processes.
Ok say you are correct in your statement of 20% adaptation would only require 5% in electrical grid capacity and that it is well withing reach so to speak. Then why are there anticipated rolling blackouts and brownouts from the California coast to near the Midwest this summer? Why did so many people freeze to death in Texas? Did they not anticipate that? If they can’t anticipate something as simple as our current electrical grids needs, how will they ever support the grid so that we could get to only 20% ev usage? We can’t even reliably supply our population now much less when we add evs. Also, with 11% of rare earth metals being used for the refinery of oil how much is used for evs? How much is used in say windturbines that failed the people in Texas. When oil refining goes down as we switch to evs how much more will be used in evs then? If our current pace of ice with oil refineries is at 11%, what will it go to when we all magically drive evs or start putting up more of those infallible wind turbines?
Ummm EV batteries contain nickel/cobalt/silver. Those are rare earth elements controlled by a small group of countries like China/Russia.
Enjoy the market collapse.
Don’t tell empty joe or AOC about dirty EVs, you’re going to get cancelled. EPA was overturned by SCOTUS from having the power to make rules and force companies to act. Now the EPA must go through Congress and slow joe is mad.
It’s not about EVs or any clean energy or we would be producing our own clean energy right here, buying fossil fuels 2 or 3 times dirtier from overseas blows out what I read above. Buying dirty fuel from other countries defeats the 0 emissions.
This is about power and money, period. The elites line their pockets and we supply that lining with unproven facts of the world is ending heretics.
What about those used batteries and un-recyclable batteries and materials. Some 3rd world country will be our dumping grounds. For those of who have not seen that, its ugly. Little kids are hired to rummage through and take out the batteries and precious metals to earn money.
Yeah, EVs are clean…
ICE has junkyards, not sure what EVs will have.
Just because exhaust does not come out of a tailpipe, it does not mean these Climate change fanatics should be smug… Look at the carbon footprint the manufacturing of these vehicles leaves behind. Even if the electricity was not produced by coal, solar panels and windmills can not be recycled… they are simply cut up and buried in landfill sites.
I am a Retired 68 year old veteran living in Vancouver BC. I have a 2021 GMC Dually Diesel to pull my 33 foot 5th Wheel. Occasionally it take me to the coffee shop. I enjoy my vehicle and it does what I need it to do. The cost of diesel is $2.58 a liter. I am afraid to translate it to gallons. Vehicles are purchased to suit peoples lifestyle and professions. That will never change! To me an “ELECTRIC” commuter vehicle should be the size of a “SMART CAR” with NO ELECTRIC WINDOWS, or any luxury options that consume power, and should sell for under $10,000. This preoccupation that our “EV” should be full luxury like our ICE vehicles make NO sense with our current technology. In the future maybe but for now ICE vehicles do what is required and they are far more “GREEN” than their predecessors. If you want the “Luxury” or need the “Endurance” buy a ICE and don’t complain. For those who use their vehicles for “Short” trips a “Basic” EV will do the job for you!
Barry
Automakers that can engineer lighter, more energy-dense batteries may have an advantage in the coming years.
Should read, “In the coming decades”.
I knew it all along!
The only 9000 pound vehicle I want to drive is my Silverado pulling a muscle car on a flatbed trailer!
Rare earth materials also come from remote parts of the world and must be shipped to their place of use via cargo ships or similar vessels which are gross polluters.
Ideally for reducing emissions and greenhouse gases, we need very short supply chains. We once had that as food was grown near where it was consumed and every town had a cabinet maker or blacksmith. We evolved to a national distribution system in the 20 th Century with industrial conglomerates proving and shipping food and other products into every small town. That was a bit worse than the system that preceded it but nothing like the inherently dirty network developed today where even a rudimentary fly swatter is produced in China and shipped around the world on container ships that produce more pollution than 50 million cars according to some published reports.
I support more small local businesses that produce products for nearby residents so I’m in Georgia and I bought sheets made from Alabama cotton that were woven just south of Atlanta. That’s far better for the planet than buying sheets or towels shipped in from India..
Good grief, is the goal to just publish ignorance? Has it even crossed anyone’s mind to look into how many EV buyers are charging directly off of solar-only equipment, rendering this sort of report not just misleading but entirely irrelevant? Most people here would have their minds blown if they ever allowed themselves to see the reality.
Exactly! Another fun factoid the progressives seem to overlook as they preach to the majority! I have nothing against EV vehicles! Knock yourself out if thats what you like! I will take my V12 twin turbo over EV all day!
Has this study consideted the energy used to convert petroleum to gasoline, then the energy to truck the gasoline to each station, and finally the energy to.pump it? How about the energy wasted for each engine maintenance and the spent oil and filters contaminating the landfills and drainpipes? As a relief, many EV owners get their energy from the Sun. Can you get gasoline free from the sky?
How about showing me how that E.V could have been built without using fossil fuels, … even the solar panels and windmills you claim are non-polluting are created using fossil fuels and are also non-recyclable once they need replacing. Then they are chopped up and buried at landfill sites.
Here is a fun fact and all that matters to me: the worst-case Hummer EV is spewing less excrement in the air than the Hummer fossil fuel.
Isn’t this more of a critique about the availability of renewable energy in some areas rather than anything to do with the vehicle itself? The vehicle itself doesn’t make any emissions running. Like anything that uses electricity from the grid, from a car to a toaster, the electricity production has an environmental impact it doesn’t matter what the product is. Also there is a huge variation in electricity generation from area to area. Some areas like iowa and Texas generate much energy from wind. In some given community all of the power my be nuclear. Some town my be entirely on coal. This kind of blanket analysis that something using a lot of electricity ‘pollutes’ more than a gas burning car is completely useless and misleading. There is plenty of different aspects to how much an ev pollutes through production and soucing materials, but just saying that this ev ‘pollutes’ more than a gas car because some electricity is from coal and it uses a lot of electricity is just dumb because it’s complete apples and oranges. Who cross- shops a Malibu and Hummer? Maybe compare an H1 to the hummer ev? What region of what state causes a huge variation so you’d need to qualify the ‘pollution’ claim with a geographical location and specify that it’s grid energy not some private solar array(which someone with pockets deep enough for the Hummer could easilyafford). So basically this article is saying that if you chose to drive a Malibu instead of a Hummer Ev (wtf) in an area whose electricity generation was mostly coal, and charged your $150k off-road Malibu substitute off only grid power in that area under current power generation emissions regulations and assuming the coal plant wasn’t decommissioned or emissions more tightly regulated, while all of those conditions were present the CO² released into the atmosphere from the tailpipe of the Malibu (on regular gas? E85? It’s unknown) mile-for-mile would be less than the CO² emissions from unspecified power source for electricity to move a 4.5 ton monster the same distance. THIS. IS. DUMB.
Ultimately, EVs are only as clean as the source of the energy used to charge them. If clean energy is used, the EV is more or less clean. If “dirty’ energy is used then the EV isn’t clean.
There are dozens of barrels of oil required to simply manufacture a single EV, not to mention the mining that went in to getting the materials for the battery.
Until ALL industrialized nations go clean, the efforts of one particular country or one segment of industry in one country will mean nothing in terms of “saving the planet”. EV may not expel emissions but they still contribute to pollution in other ways.