The basics of EV efficiency EV efficiency means using fewer materials and less electricity to go the same distance, resulting in a smaller impact on people and the planet. [...] The economics of switching to an EV are favorable, with lower costs over the vehicle’s lifetime compared to a gas counterpart; greater EV efficiency can further strengthen the case for drivers to switch to EVs (Nigro and Wilkins 2024). [...] EV battery packs are material- and energy-intensive components of the vehicle, and they contribute to the higher production emissions of EVs relative to a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle (Moseman and Paltsev 2022). [...] Efficiency-boosting technology Efficiency gains can also be made in vehicle components that comprise the drivetrain, such as the motor and inverter, which converts the direct-current power from the battery to the alternating-current power used by the motor, to the batteries themselves. [...] So, the EPA treats the sale of a highly inefficient EV and a highly efficient EV the same, and both comply with the standard.
Authors
- Pages
- 20
- Published in
- United States of America
Table of Contents
- About ACEEE 2
- About the author 2
- Acknowledgments 2
- Suggested citation 2
- Data and licensing information 2
- Contents 3
- Executive summary 4
- Benefits of greater EV efficiency 4
- Policy solutions to increase EV efficiency 5
- Key findings 4
- Introduction: efficiency still critical as we electrify vehicles 7
- The basics of EV efficiency 7
- Greater efficiency is good for drivers 8
- Less electricity per mile, lower fueling costs 8
- Going further on a single charge 9
- Increasing affordability 9
- Greater efficiency means lower emissions and environmental impact 9
- Lower upstream emissions 9
- Lower manufacturing emissions and environmental impact 10
- Calculating the benefits of lower production emissions 10
- Greater efficiency will reduce strain on the electricity grid 12
- How automakers can increase EV efficiency 13
- Federal policy solutions 15
- State and local policy solutions 16
- References 18
