EV’s Fossil Fuel Economy Doesn’t Get Better Than ICE Vehicles – Boosted by That?

From Dr. Roy Spencer’s Weather Blog

June 17, 2022 by Roy W. Spencer, Ph. D.

… But the cost-per-mile energy EVs are getting cheaper ($2 per gallon of gas equivalent)

Most of the electricity generated in the US continues to come from fossil fuels (61% in 2021). This will not change much in the future as electricity demand is growing faster than renewable energy (20% of the total in 2020 and 20.1% of the total in 2021) can close the gap compared to fossil fuels. Given that fact, it’s interesting to ask the question:

Which vehicle is more fossil fuel efficient, an EV or ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle?

Most of what you’ll read about EVs versus ICEs discusses how EVs are more efficient at converting the energy they carry into motion (e.g.: hereand here and hereand here, etc) but this is only part of the equation. The production, transmission, and storage of electricity from batteries is very inefficient compared to refining and transporting gasoline, and Those inefficiencies each year add up to more than all the gasoline consumed in America

EV energy use per mile

The average energy consumption of an EV is about 0.35 kWh per mile. According to the US average electricity price is $0.145 per kWh in June 2022and assuming 2021 new car average fuel economy is 39 mpg, this makes for an ICE equivalent fuel price of $1.98 EV per gallon of gas. With the average U.S. gas price now above $5.00 a gallon, this in itself (ignoring many other considerations, discussed below) makes EVs attractive to save monthly on purchases. fuel.

But since most of this electricity still comes from fossil fuels, we have to take into account the efficiency with which electricity is generated and transmitted and stored in the EV’s battery. Here’s how we can answer the question, Which vehicle is more fossil fuel efficient, an EV or ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle?

The power generation is quite inefficient with different efficiencies 33% from coal and 42% from natural gas. As we continue to transition from coal to natural gas, I will use the 42% figure. Next, at least 6.5% lost during transmission and distribution. Final, 12% of power is lost when charging an EV . battery. Taken together, these losses increase the EV’s energy efficiency of 0.35 kWh per mile, up to 1.0 kWh per mile in terms of fossil energy being used.

ICE uses energy per mile

How do internal combustion engines outperform EVs in terms of fossil fuel energy efficiency?

One gallon of gas contains 33.7 kWh of energy. But like generating electricity, it takes energy to extract that gallon of gas from petroleum. However, the refining process is very energy efficient (about 90%), so it takes (33.7 / 0.9 =) 37.44 kWh of energy to get 33.7 kWh of energy per gallon of gas. . At a 2021 car’s 39 mpg fuel economy, this translates to an energy savings figure of 0.96 kWh per mile driven, just 1.0 less than fossil fuel energy usage. kWh of an EV. With an advertised fuel economy of 48 to 60 mpg, a hybrid (petrol-powered) vehicle will therefore have an edge over an electric vehicle.

Other opinions

Of course, the main reason electric vehicles are available to Americans (through subsidies and strict CAFE standards) is that the reductions in CO2 emissions will happen, assuming more of our electricity comes to us. from future non-fossil fuel sources. Personally, I’m not interested in owning one because I want the flexibility of a day’s long haul.

There is also the issue of the large amount of additional natural resources and associated pollution, which are needed to produce millions of EV batteries.

Furthermore, the grid will need to be expanded to provide the increased amount of electricity needed. This greater electricity demand, coupled with the high costs of wind and solar power, could make the fuel cost advantage of electric vehicles disappear in the coming years.

Finally, part of the true price of a new EV is masked through rebates (which taxpayers pay) and high CAFE fuel economy regulations, which require automakers not to meet The standard response is payable to companies like Tesla, a cost that is passed on to consumers through higher prices for ICE cars and (especially) trucks.