Skip to main content

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles

Beyond Tailpipe Emissions Calculator

Use this calculator to estimate the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with driving an electric vehicle (EV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), including GHG emissions from the production of electricity used to power the vehicle. Enter your ZIP Code, model year, and vehicle to calculate the tailpipe and upstream emissions.

* GHG emissions depend on how electricity is generated in your area.
Please select a vehicle.

What is the difference between tailpipe and upstream emissions?

Tailpipe Emissions

Vehicle tailpipe emissions are the GHGs your car produces when driving.

Upstream Emissions

Upstream emissions are the GHGs associated with the production and distribution of gasoline and electricity.

Why does my ZIP Code matter?

GHG emissions vary by region, based on how the electricity is produced. For example, electricity produced from coal will result in higher GHG emissions than electricity produced from renewable sources like wind. While there may be some regional variability in upstream gasoline emissions due to factors such as differences in the distance gasoline must be transported from refineries or the source of crude oil, total CO2 emissions for a gasoline vehicle are dominated by emissions at the tailpipe. Tailpipe emissions do not vary significantly by region.

Learn more about electricity production in your ZIP Code.

This website is administered by Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the U.S. DOE and the U.S. EPA.