A University of Minnesota study published in PNAS looks at alternatives including ethanol and electricity and determined that "it's hard to beat gasoline." Even electric vehicles can do better or worse depending on how utilities source electricity.
Seth Borenstein, science writer for The Associated Press, reports on a new study published Dec. 15 by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) that evaluates the "life cycle air quality impacts of conventional and alternative light-duty transportation in the United States."
The authors published this amusing two-minute YouTube video that summarizes their findings as well if not better than the abstract on the PNAS.
The results might surprise true-believers in electric vehicles (EVs) and other alternatives to gasoline and diesel-burning internal combustion engine vehicles. However, it turns out this is our third report in as many years (see "Related" below) on this aspect of EVs, and each time, the results are the same.
Note the bar chart published in the Reason blog (copied from PNAS) showing mortality rates from air pollution associated with conventional and alternative powered vehicles.
"It's kind of hard to beat gasoline," said study co-author Julian Marshall, an engineering professor at the Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota, referring to both public health benefits and even global warming. "A lot of the technologies that we think of as being clean ... are not better than gasoline."
What's key is the power portfolio of the utility where the EV is charged, even the Department of Energy recognizes the importance of the utility power sources—you can determine the "Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles" by inserting your zip code and type of EV.
States with high "Renewable and Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards" make EVs a good pick if you want to drive a green car. In fact, California goes even further by having a low carbon fuel standard where all fuels are evaluated in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.
As we noted last year, Washington and Vermont may be two of the two best states to own an EV—due to high percentages of hydro and nuclear power, respectively, in their energy portfolio. Not so in states with utilities dominated by coal power.
FULL STORY: Why Your All-Electric Car May Not Be So Green
Washington Attempts to Adopt a Cleaner Cars and Clean Fuels Programs
A Pew Stateline article tackles the challenges of reducing carbon emissions from transportation compared to electricity generation and looks at recent initiatives announced by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee aimed at decarbonizing transportation.
Can Hydrogen Make a Comeback?
While hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles are much less popular than their battery-powered siblings, California remains committed to the zero-emission technology, with three state agencies investing in and monitoring its progress.
California Lawmaker Wants to Triple Electric Vehicle Rebates
Assemblyman Phil Ting seeks to dramatically increase the state electric vehicle sales rebate of $2,500, motivated in part by the phasing-out of the federal EV tax credit of $7,500. The bill rules out significant revenue sources.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley
The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
How Urban Form Impacts Housing Affordability
The way we design cities affects housing costs differently than you might think.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
