Since we often burn fossil fuels to generate electricity, the resulting greenhouse gases need to be taken into account whenever we estimate the environmental benefit of EVs.
Their online Alternative Fuels Data Center includes an interactive tool that allows the user to choose any state to see how its electricity is generated and the corresponding quantity of upstream emissions produced by a typical EV charging off of its grid.
Vermont generates all of its electricity using renewable energy sources, so its EVs are not responsible for any upstream emissions.
Cynical naysayers love to scoff that EVs are actually powered by coal, but EVs still come out ahead of internal combustion vehicles in states that rely heavily on coal for their electricity.
Hawaii has to use imported oil to produce 66% of its electricity, resulting in 6,234 pounds of upstream CO2 per year to charge a typical Hawaiian EV.
The analysis of upstream emissions from the Department of Energy affirms the nationwide emission reductions that EVs are delivering today, but it also drives home a promising point about the future.