I was searching the internet for data on greenhouse gas emissions from various electric vehicle models, when I stumbled upon this calculator of upstream emissions (those generated when producing the electricity used to charge the car) and tailpipe emissions (zero for electric vehicles) on a Department of Energy webpage: https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=bt2.
I was shocked to find that for a Chevrolet Blazer EV 2024 (https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?year=2024&vehicleId=47445&zipCode=77058&action=bt3), the total emissions of 411 g CO2/mile on average across different power grids in America actually exceeds that of an “Average New Gasoline Vehicle,” which is stated as 400 g CO2/mile. Does this mean that this electric vehicle actually generates more greenhouse gases per mile driven than a conventional car when you factor in the electricity production? Does this not contradict other data I have seen estimating that this vehicle has an MPGe in the 90s or higher, which exceeds the typical MPG in the 30s range for conventional cars? Surely the manufacturing emissions for this electric vehicle would also exceed that for a gas-powered car, so does this mean the total emissions for the vehicle across its life cycle would also be higher than for a regular car?
To further confuse me, I saw that the Chevrolet Bolt EUV 2023 (https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?year=2023&vehicleId=45750&zipCode=77058&action=bt3) has a significantly better profile, producing about 126 g CO2/mile on the average American electricity mix. What might account for the drastic difference between the upstream emissions for the Blazer and the Bolt? Is it the fact that the Blazer is heavier, which means more electricity and thus more greenhouse gases are required to propel the vehicle 1 mile? Or are there other factors?
Overall, I just want to buy an electric vehicle that truly has low life cycle emissions, and I am having trouble interpreting the data. Please let me know if you all have any good sources you use.
Both vehicles are Zero emissions. Pick they one that fits your driving needs and taste.
The “upstream” emissions are a kind of vague term to do with electricity production. They are not real emissions. Buy your EV, buy “Blue Sky” zero emissions electric power from your utility to charge at home and you will have zero emissions for your transportation.
Upstream emissions are the emissions associated with the production and distribution of gasoline and electricity. This includes activities like feedstock extraction (e.g., drilling for oil or mining coal), feedstock transport to a processing plant, and conversion of feedstock to motor fuel or electricity, and the distribution of the motor fuel or electricity. Electricity emissions depend on the mix of feedstocks used to generate electricity in your region. Though not displayed in the graphic, pipeline distribution of crude oil and gasoline also contributes upstream CO2 emissions and is included in the upstream emissions estimate.
Sounds like the database only has information for the ICE blazer?
It may be. The database states that it only includes electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and the page on the Blazer states it’s an EV. Also, the emissions value reported on the site changes depending on one’s ZIP code, so that seems to argue against it reflecting values for an ICE.