Researchers at the University of Turku in Finland found that the average EV owner churns out half a ton more of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, with owners of the sportiest EV models producing almost two tons more. Someone who owns an ICE vehicle, i.e. running on diesel or gasoline, only emits 8.05 tons of CO2 or equivalent greenhouse gases per year. In contrast, the average EV driver churns out 8.66 tons of emissions annually.
The study authors also made a distinction between two types of EV owners – those focused on performance (PF) and those focused on economy and reliability (EF). The PF group generates an average of 10.25 tons of CO2 every year, almost double the 5.75 tons produced by those who don't own a vehicle. The EF group, meanwhile, generates 7.59 tons of CO2 annually.
According to the study authors, the glamorous and high-living lifestyles of EV owners are to blame for this. They noted that income is one of the strongest predictors of carbon footprint, writing: "Since EV households tend to have a high income, their total carbon footprint is also above average."
Higher income typically leads to larger homes, more frequent travel and greater consumption – factors that significantly increase a person’s overall contribution to climate change. Nearly a quarter of all EV-owning households in the study had a monthly income of more than £6,250 ($8,201), while the average household income in the U.K. is just £2,875 ($3,772)...<<<Read More>>>...