PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
Does an electric car pollute more than a gas car?
I really want to reduce my carbon footprint by buying an electric vehicle, but my husband says that electric cars are actually worse for the environment because of the process to make the battery. Does an electric car pollute more than a gas car?
Bellina Gaskey · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Great question! No, an electric vehicle does not pollute more than a gas vehicle. Even though manufacturing the battery for electric cars does require a lot of energy, over the lifetime of the electric vehicle, it pollutes less than a gas vehicle.
There are two main parts to this question: the manufacturing process and emissions over the life of a vehicle. The manufacturing process of creating the electric vehicle battery is when the highest level of pollution associated with EVs occurs.
That’s because manufacturing lithium-ion batteries is currently a long process, from mining the needed materials to the physical build. This is where the majority of an electric vehicle’s carbon footprint comes from. Luckily, the automobile industry is actively looking for
other eco-friendly options
to fuel cars.However, the lifetime of the vehicle is where the EV makes up for the battery footprint. Because EVs have zero tailpipe emissions and produce fewer greenhouse gases during building, they can go their entire lifespan without creating half the carbon footprint a gas-powered car will.
Another common argument is that since EVs still rely on the power grid, which still relies on fossil fuels, EVs pollute just as much as gas cars. Although EV’s currently use grid power, as
more states become EV friendly
, more eco-friendly electricity sources are on their way, so this concern is a short-term concern at best. And since EVs still don’t expel noxious gases, they pollute much less than gas cars.Whether your car runs on gasoline or electric power you always need insurance.
Jerry
, the number one car insurance comparison app will help you find the best rates.View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance
You Might Also Be Interested
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
What Others Are Asking
Browse More Content
Insurance in Your State
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies