UH Energy

The LCA framework specifies three pre-ownership stages: Lithium battery manufacture (for EVs), other manufacturing, and vehicle delivery to sales centers. Pre-ownership CO2e emissions are higher for EV models for both CAR and PICKUP TRUCK than for ICEV models. Yearly emissions during operation are lower for EV models for both vehicle categories. For EVs, emissions during operation include emissions associated with electricity generation and the generation fuel cycle; for ICEVs, tailpipe emissions and emissions associated with the gasoline fuel cycle.

The lifetime in years at which cumulative emissions for EVs and ICEVs are equal defines a CO2e "breakeven" time. Below this breakeven time, cumulative EV emissions are higher than ICEV emissions; above this breakeven time, cumulative EV emissions are lower than ICEV emissions.