Emissions and exposure costs of electric versus conventional vehicles: A case study in Texas

The emissions and human exposure impacts of electric vehicle (EV) adoption, especially in comparison to conventional gasoline- or diesel-powered engines, depend on numerous factors including geography, electricity generation, and fuel mix. Results of any analysis also vary depending on the nature of data collected and their level of aggregation by time or location. This paper combines several approaches to develop a robust estimate of these impacts specific to the state of Texas by considering marginal emissions by time of day, as well as location of vehicle and power plant emissions. The authors estimate health and other external costs of operating an EV in the state at approximately $62 per year, compared with an average of $136 for a passenger car powered by gasoline.