The amount of pollution electric vehicles (EVs) create depends on how green or clean the local electricity supply is and how each individual drives. In other words, our driving habits matter, and not only the features of the EVs’ source of electricity, say two researchers from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Dr. Marco Miotti and Professor Jessika Trancik.
They explain that despite regional variability in traffic congestion, individual driving patterns, climate, and how the electricity is generated, EVs emit fewer greenhouse gases than internal combustion engine vehicles (ICE vehicles). Definition: “ICE” vehicles are powered by gas (UK: petrol).
The researchers carried out a recent study and wrote about it in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Research Letters (citation and link below). EVs aren’t more expensive than equivalent internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in most parts of the USA.
A comprehensive study
In their study, the researchers gathered data from several key factors that contribute to geographical (regional) and individual differences in vehicle emissions and running costs, such as weather conditions, travel habits, and fuel prices. Their findings painted a much fuller picture of emissions and costs than previous studies.
In order to overcome distortions due to price fluctuations at any one time, they sourced data from thousands of zip codes across the United States and also analyzed the driving habits of individual motorists in those areas. Their analysis ended in early 2025.
Their results showed that individual driving habits can be just as important as the local electricity mix and other regional factors when it comes to EV emissions savings compared to equivalent ICE vehicles. In most areas, EVs reduce emissions by between 40% and 60%. In urban areas, the impact is greater.
Some media reports have claimed that the overall emissions benefits are much lower in colder climates. However, the researchers say that there is little evidence to support this.
Carbon counter
Carboncounter.com, which was developed by Miotti and Trancik, is a tool that enables people to compare total ownership costs and life-cycle emissions of virtually any car on the market today. Miotti and Trancik utilized their findings to update it.
Miotti said:
“There are a lot of statements being thrown around, like that electric vehicles don’t reduce emissions very much in cool climates, and we wanted to analyze these factors systematically and evaluate these statements against one another simultaneously. Rather than simply asking, ‘Are EVs better?’, this paper helps answer ‘better for whom, and under what conditions?’”
Citation:
Miotti, M., & Trancik, J. E. (2026). Determinants of electric vehicle emissions savings and costs across locations and individuals. Environmental Research Letters, 21 (9), 094021. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ae0c23
