A new study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) estimates that battery electric cars sold today in Europe emit nearly four times fewer greenhouse gases over their lifetime than gasoline cars.

According to the report, Europe’s electricity mix is becoming increasingly cleaner, which is further boosting the climate advantage of electric vehicles (EVs). Battery electric cars sold today produce 73% fewer greenhouse gas emissions over their life cycle than their gasoline counterparts—even when production is included.

This represents a 24% improvement compared to 2021 estimates. In contrast, other propulsion systems, such as hybrids and plug-in hybrids, show minimal or no progress in reducing their climate impact.

The findings, based on a comprehensive life cycle analysis of major propulsion system types, reinforce earlier conclusions: only battery electric vehicles (BEVs) can deliver the large-scale emission reductions needed to address Europe’s most polluting mode of transport. Passenger cars account for nearly three-quarters of the sector’s emissions.

Dr. Marta Negri, a researcher at ICCT, stated: “Battery electric cars in Europe are becoming cleaner at a faster rate than expected and outperform all other technologies, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids. This progress is largely driven by the rapid rollout of renewable electricity across the continent and the higher energy efficiency of battery electric vehicles.”

By 2025, renewable energy sources are projected to account for 56% of Europe’s electricity generation—an 18-point increase compared to 2020. According to the EU Joint Research Centre, this share will continue rising, potentially reaching 86% by 2045.

Since cars sold today tend to remain in circulation for about 20 years, the continuous improvement of the electricity mix will further increase the climate benefits of battery EVs. In contrast, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles will remain heavily dependent on fossil fuels, as the availability and cost of alternative fuels remain uncertain.

Other technologies still lag behind BEVs in terms of life cycle emissions reduction. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids offer only 20% and 30% lower emissions, respectively, than gasoline cars over their lifetime. This is partly due to real-world data showing that plug-in hybrids use less electricity than initially assumed. While hybridization provides some benefits, these reductions are relatively small compared to the emissions savings of BEVs and fall short of meeting long-term climate targets.

The study also looked at other fuel and propulsion options, such as hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). This technology can also offer a significant reduction in emissions—up to 79%—but only when powered by hydrogen produced using renewable electricity. Currently, such hydrogen is neither produced nor available at scale in Europe. Most fuel cell vehicles today use hydrogen derived from natural gas, which results in a life cycle emissions reduction of just 26% compared to gasoline cars.

 Misinformation and selective use of data have led to confusion about the climate credentials of electric vehicles. The ICCT analysis brings clarity by addressing common misconceptions—such as failing to account for the future decarbonization of the grid and relying on outdated or unrepresentative fuel consumption and vehicle lifetime assumptions.

One frequently cited claim is that EVs generate higher emissions due to battery manufacturing. While battery electric cars do have around 40% higher manufacturing emissions than gasoline cars, ICCT's research shows this “carbon debt” is typically offset after just 17,000 kilometers of driving—usually within the first one to two years of use in Europe.

"We hope this study brings clarity to the public debate, so that policymakers and industry leaders can make informed decisions," said Dr. Georg Bieker, Senior Researcher at ICCT. "Lately, we’ve seen automotive industry leaders misrepresent hybrid emissions calculations. But life cycle analysis isn’t a 'choose your own adventure' exercise. Our study reflects the most representative use cases and relies on real-world data. Consumers deserve accurate, science-based information."

The ICCT’s analysis covers greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle and battery production and recycling, fuel and electricity production, fuel consumption, and maintenance. The methodology also factors in the projected evolution of the electricity mix over a vehicle’s lifetime and uses real-world driving data instead of official test values—especially important for assessing plug-in hybrid emissions.