Electric Vehicles (EVs) are currently 73% less polluting than Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, and their cleanliness is increasing at a faster rate than anticipated.

The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has released a groundbreaking study, published in 2025, which reveals that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in Europe are producing 73% lower life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to gasoline internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs).

The study, conducted by ICCT researcher Dr. Marta Negri, found that BEVs sold today in Europe emit nearly four times less greenhouse gases over their lifetime than their ICE counterparts, with BEVs emitting about 63 g CO2e per kilometer versus 235 g CO2e/km for gasoline ICEVs.

The findings indicate that the energy efficiency of battery electric cars is a significant factor in their ability to reduce emissions. The study did not find any significant gains in reducing climate impacts for hybrids (HEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).

The rapid decarbonization of the electricity grid, improvements in battery technology, and superior energy efficiency are key contributors to the steadily decreasing life-cycle emissions of BEVs in Europe. The shift towards renewable electricity dramatically cuts emissions from the electricity used during BEV operation, while the energy efficiency of BEVs during use is higher than that of ICE vehicles.

Improvements in battery chemistry, such as switching from NMC622 to lower-carbon-footprint lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, are also reducing BEV production emissions over time. Although BEVs have about 40% higher emissions during production, these are offset after around 17,000 km driven because of lower emissions during the use phase.

The ICCT study suggests that the progress in reducing BEV emissions is largely due to the fast deployment of renewable electricity across the continent and the greater energy efficiency of battery electric cars. The increase in renewable energy share in Europe’s electricity generation, expected to be 56% in 2025 and rising to 86% by 2045, is a major driver of this reduction.

The study also examined other powertrain and fuel options, including hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). FCEVs relying on green hydrogen offer significant emissions reduction of 79% compared to ICE vehicles, while FCEVs running on hydrogen produced from natural gas deliver only a 26% reduction.

Dr. Negri emphasized that battery electric cars are outperforming all other technologies in terms of reducing emissions. She stated that BEVs in Europe are getting cleaner faster than expected and outperform all other technologies, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids.

The savings in BEVs go beyond just tailpipe CO2 emissions, given that emissions from fuel production are higher than those from electricity within the average EU electricity mix. The life-cycle emissions of BEVs were 24% less than estimated in ICCT's 2021 life-cycle analysis study, reflecting the ongoing decarbonisation of the EU's average electricity mix.

In contrast to BEVs, hybrids and plug-in hybrids currently offer only modest lifetime emission reductions (20-30%) compared to gasoline vehicles. The ICCT study highlights the critical role of BEVs in meeting EU climate goals, given their superior performance in reducing emissions.

Sources: [1] ICCT (2025). Life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of battery electric vehicles in Europe. [2] ICCT (2021). Life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of battery electric vehicles in Europe. [3] European Commission (2021). State of the Energy Union 2021. [4] European Commission (2020). Proposal for a Regulation laying down harmonised rules on batteries and waste batteries and accumulators.

The groundbreaking ICCT study, published in 2025, indicates that the advancements in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have significantly reduced life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions, as BEVs sold today in Europe emit nearly four times less greenhouse gases compared to gasoline internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). Moreover, the findings of the study suggest that the progress in reducing BEV emissions is largely due to the fast deployment of renewable electricity across Europe and the greater energy efficiency of BEVs, positioning them as a key contributor to environmental-science efforts aimed at addressing climate-change concerns and overall environmental protection through the strategic use of technology.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are currently 73% less polluting than Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, and their cleanliness is increasing at a faster rate than anticipated.