This wide-ranging life-cycle assessment (LCA) examines the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of passenger cars, including SUVs. Performed separately and in depth for Europe, the United States, China, and India, the analysis captures the differences among those markets, which are home to about 70% of global new passenger car sales. It considers present and projected future GHG emissions attributable to every stage in the life cycles of both vehicles and fuels, from extracting and processing raw materials through refining and manufacture to operation and eventual recycling or disposal.

An electric car bought today will pollute less and less year after year, halving its CO2 emissions in ten years. This is regardless of where it will circulate and feed. In fact, all the main countries in the world, even China and India, have already embarked on a trajectory of abandoning fossil fuels in electricity generation. And the one used in 2033 will largely come from renewable sources. And over a lifetime, estimated at 18 years, the reduction could reach 86%.