Hybrids’ dirty secret: emissions almost 5 times higher than electric vehicles

Life cycle emissions include emissions from battery and vehicle production, raw material and fuel production, vehicle use and end-of-life disposal

While it’s common knowledge that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have zero tailpipe emissions, scrutiny often focuses on their manufacturing and disposal processes. But a new study from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) suggests that BEVs are the clear winners when it comes to vehicle life-cycle emissions—especially when charged with renewable energy.

For average 2024 model year cars in the United States, the environmental impact is massive: Self-charging hybrids emit 2.2 times (sedans) and 2.5 times (SUVs) more greenhouse gases over their life cycle than their BEV counterparts.

More: Are hybrids the best or worst solution?

Similarly, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) for both body types emit about twice as much. In contrast, internal combustion engine (ICE) SUVs produce up to 3.5 times more emissions than equivalent BEVs.

The figures are based on vehicles charging from an average grid. However, when BEVs are powered solely by renewable energy, hybrid SUVs emit a staggering 4.9 times more, and combustion engine SUVs an even more alarming 6.7 times more greenhouse gases over their life cycle.

The ICCT states that net greenhouse gas emissions over a vehicle’s life cycle include emissions from battery and vehicle production, raw material and fuel production, vehicle use, and end-of-life disposal. This comprehensive measure provides a clear picture of a car’s environmental impact.

The above assessment updates the 2021 analysis. According to the original study, the life-cycle emissions of the average mid-size BEV sold in the U.S. in 2021 were 57 to 68 percent lower than those of an equivalent ICE vehicle, varying depending on the charging network used.

By comparison, updated data for 2024 shows that electric vehicles are 66 to 74 percent cleaner than competing combustion engine vehicles, and up to 85 percent cleaner when electricity from renewable sources is added.

The ICCT also provided projections for 2030, when the environmental benefits of electric vehicles were expected to be even greater. Specifically, the life-cycle emissions of 2030 model-year ICE SUVs are estimated to be 7.5 times higher than those of equivalent renewable-energy electric vehicles. The study also indicates that hybrid and plug-in hybrids have a much more limited potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to electric vehicles.

You can check out the full analysis from the International Council on Clean Transportation by clicking this link.