[yorby]

as long as they are not powered by coal power plants... (but I guess that those are typically in poor neighborhoods)

[p1necone]

It's still a decent improvement if they are - one big coal plant running at relatively constant speed is much more efficient than an equivalent number of individual petrol engines in cars afaik.

[maliker]

More energy efficient, yes. But resulting more CO2 and SOx and NOx emissions even with scrubbers.

[moongarammasala]

That really isn't true anymore - EVs are still greener than any petrol car for 75% of the US population, and that will go up! https://blog.ucsusa.org/dave-reichmuth/new-data-show-electri...

[maliker]

For the current generation mix, which is a lot of natural gas and some renewables, you’re right. And I agree the mix will get greener.

[p1necone]

Ah I wasn't aware of that. Emissions are definitely the primary concern, at least for me.

[mikeash]

Coal makes up only a third of American electrical generation, and it’s dropping rapidly.

[yorby]

only a third? wow, I thought that it was less then 25%

[bgarbiak]

Coal is one thing, the environmental cost of producing batteries is another. You have to drive your 100kWh Tesla for over 8 years to get carbon emissions lower than ICE cars[1].

That number probably got lower thanks to Gigafactory being more efficient. Hopefully.

1) https://www.autovistagroup.com/news-and-insights/swedish-stu...

[seanmcdirmid]

Only 30% of USA power comes from coal, and it’s much lower on the west coast than elsewhere.