A new study from the University of Michigan reveals that switching to electric vehicles (EVs) helps reduce greenhouse gas pollution across every county in the United States, regardless of where people live or drive. This in-depth analysis, published in Environmental Science & Technology, compared 35 different combinations of vehicle types and powertrains, including gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric models, to understand how cars and trucks affect the environment from production to disposal.
Researchers analyzed standard pickups, sedans, and SUVs built in 2025, factoring in the energy used not only while driving, but also while manufacturing and eventually recycling the vehicles. They considered differences in climate, grid electricity sources, and driver habits, such as city versus highway driving, to provide a fair “apples-to-apples” comparison of pollution from different vehicles nationwide.
The results were striking. Traditional gasoline pickup trucks were found to be the highest polluters, emitting an average of 486 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per mile. Hybrids cut these emissions by about 23%, while fully electric pickups produced 75% fewer emissions, even when hauling heavy loads. On the other end of the spectrum, the cleanest choice turned out to be compact electric sedans, producing just 81 grams of emissions per mile, less than one-fifth the pollution of a traditional gas pickup.
Interestingly, the study also found that larger batteries for extended driving range added some pollution during their manufacturing, suggesting that choosing the smallest vehicle and range needed can help further limit a driver’s climate impact. The researchers even created an online calculator for people to estimate their own vehicle’s pollution, based on how and where they drive.
With car makers pushing for more affordable EVs, even as some government incentives are scaled back, this research confirms that switching to an electric car is a powerful way for Americans to shrink their environmental footprint, wherever they live.
