The all-electric Nissan Leaf does not emit tailpipe emissions like an internal combustion engine, but there are emissions associated with the production of electricity to fuel the Leaf, called upstream emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated those upstream emissions using information about the electric utility fuel sources. The graph below shows the upstream carbon dioxide emission estimates for the 2012 Nissan Leaf charging in the largest city of each State. California and New York have the lowest emissions due to their efforts to produce clean electricity. Even in Colorado, where the emissions estimates are the highest, the Leaf emissions are about one-third less than the average new vehicle emissions (upstream and tailpipe emissions combined). To find the upstream emissions estimates in your area for electric vehicles certified by the EPA, go to www.fueleconomy.gov.
Upstream Carbon Dioxide Emissions for a 2012 Nissan Leaf
Notes: Based on 45% highway, 55% city driving, and 15,000 annual miles.
Average New Vehicle is based on the average of all new gasoline vehicles.
Upstream emissions for electric vehicles are those emissions resulting from the process of generating electricity. These emissions vary depending on which fuel source a utility uses to generate electricity.
Supporting Information
City, State | Grams Per Mile |
---|---|
New York City, NY | 120 |
Los Angeles, CA | 120 |
Burlington, VT | 140 |
Providence, RI | 140 |
Manchester, NH | 140 |
Boston, MA | 140 |
Portland, ME | 140 |
Bridgeport, CT | 140 |
Cheyenne, WY | 150 |
Seattle, WA | 150 |
Salt Lake City, UT | 150 |
Portland, OR | 150 |
Billings, MT | 150 |
Boise, ID | 150 |
Jackson, MS | 180 |
New Orleans, LA | 180 |
Little Rock, AR | 180 |
Philadelphia, PA | 190 |
Newark, NJ | 190 |
Baltimore, MD | 190 |
Wilmington, DE | 190 |
Virginia Beach, VA | 200 |
Columbia, SC | 200 |
Charlotte, NC | 200 |
Jacksonville, FL | 210 |
Anchorage, AK | 210 |
Houston, TX | 220 |
Albuquerque, NM | 220 |
Las Vegas, NV | 220 |
Phoenix, AZ | 220 |
Atlanta, GA | 260 |
Charleston, WV | 270 |
Memphis, TN | 270 |
Columbus, OH | 270 |
Louisville, KY | 270 |
Indianapolis, IN | 270 |
Chicago, IL | 270 |
Honolulu, HI | 270 |
Birmingham, AL | 270 |
Oklahoma City, OK | 280 |
Detroit, MI | 290 |
Milwaukee, WI | 300 |
Sioux Falls, SD | 300 |
Fargo, ND | 300 |
Omaha, NE | 300 |
Minneapolis, MN | 300 |
Des Moines, IA | 300 |
Kansas City, MO | 310 |
Wichita, KS | 310 |
Denver, CO | 330 |
Average New Vehicle | 500 |