Subscribe to Fact of the Week

The Beyond Tailpipe Emissions Calculator provides estimates of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with driving an electric vehicle (EV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), including emissions from the production of electricity used to power the vehicle. The consumer chooses the make, model, and model year of the vehicle and enters the zip code where the vehicle will be charging. Zip code is required because emissions are dependent upon fuels used to generate the electricity, often referred to as the grid mix, which varies by location. The calculator shows the upstream GHG emissions in grams per mile for:

  • the specified zip code,
  • the average U.S. electricity grid mix, and
  • the upstream and tailpipe GHG emissions for an average new gasoline vehicle.

For PHEVs, results include both upstream and tailpipe emissions.

Results from the Beyond Tailpipe Emissions Calculator for an EV and a PHEV

Source: U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, FuelEconomy.Gov Beyond Tailpipe Emissions Calculator, queried March 31, 2021.