Everyone knows EVs emit less CO₂ at the tailpipe—because they have no tailpipe. But what about manufacturing, battery production and the electricity grid? Let’s break down the full well‑to‑wheel picture.
Bumper‑to‑bumper emissions (EU averages)
| Phase | Petrol car (kg CO₂e) | EV (kg CO₂e) |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 6 t | 8 t (battery heavy) |
| Use phase (150 000 km) | 27 t | 5 t (EU grid) |
| End‑of‑life | 0.6 t | 0.8 t |
| Total lifecycle | 33.6 t | 13.8 t |
Breakeven mileage
An EV “repays” its higher manufacturing footprint after ~28 000 km on the EU grid mix. On 100 % wind/solar tariffs, breakeven is under 10 000 km.
Battery recycling bonus
By 2030, EU rules will mandate 70 % battery recycling efficiency. Recovered lithium and cobalt could shave another 1‑2 t CO₂e off lifecycle totals.
Use our calculator
Head over to the Fuel vs EV Cost Calculator and note the CO₂ columns—it’s using the same 2.31 kg/L and 0.35 kg/kWh factors referenced here.
FAQ
- Do plug‑in hybrids offer the best of both worlds?
- PHEVs can cut CO₂ by 30–40 % if driven mostly electric, but real‑world data shows many run on petrol much of the time.
- What about hydrogen fuel‑cell cars?
- Hydrogen from renewable electrolysis can be low‑carbon, but current EU hydrogen is 90 % fossil‑derived, making lifecycle CO₂ similar to petrol.