EVs, Plug-in Hybrids Lead To 11% Emissions Drop for New Vehicles in U.S.: EPA Report

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 50th annual Automotive Trends Report, model year (MY) 2023 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles have led to an 11% decline in carbon dioxide emissions from new vehicles.

The report noted that fuel economy reached a record high and greenhouse gas emissions from new vehicles reached a record low for MY 2023 vehicles, in part thanks to EVs. 

Further, the report found that all 14 of the major automotive manufacturers were meeting the light-duty greenhouse gas program requirements set by the EPA for the MY 2023 vehicles. The program requires MY 2023 through MY 2026 vehicles to prioritize vehicle technology that reduces pollution and emissions. According to the EPA, the light-duty greenhouse gas program could save more than 3 billion tons of emissions by 2050.

Already, clean vehicle technology, including fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, has made a substantial difference to emissions, the EPA Automotive Trends Report revealed. New MY 2023 vehicles led to a decrease in carbon emissions to 319 grams per mile, a record low. Compared to 20 years ago, the report found that carbon dioxide emissions have declined by 142 grams per mile or around 31%. EVs and plug-in hybrids have been particularly helpful, reducing carbon emissions by 38 grams per mile.

The reduction in carbon emissions has also been accompanied by an increase in vehicle fuel economy, which has risen 40% since MY 2004. For MY 2023 vehicles alone, new vehicle fuel economy reached a record high of 27.1 miles per gallon, according to the EPA.

“This report provides a critical data-driven affirmation that strong, technology-neutral standards can underpin environmental progress while saving drivers money at the pump,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. “Manufacturers continue to innovate and are bringing technologies to market which will directly improve air quality, better protecting people’s health and saving lives.”

The EPA revealed that these vehicle upgrades have made significant improvements in pollution and public health since the agency began recording data in 1975. According to the agency, today’s light-duty vehicles are about 99% cleaner for common pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.

These trends are expected to continue as the EPA estimated an increase in electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell vehicle production for MY 2024. According to the report, these vehicles increased to make up 11.5% of vehicle production in MY 2023 from just 6.7% of production for MY 2022, and they could increase again to 14.8% of production for MY 2024.

Although the report brings good news for the EV market, the EPA warned that light-duty vehicles are still contributing a significant amount, around 17%, to total emissions in the U.S. As such, officials said there will need to be more efforts to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions from vehicles.