Electric cars help reduce emission levels in California, says study

The 2.4% reduction in emissions is equivalent to removing 2.2 million gas-powered vehicles from California in one year

California's government agency, California Air Resources Board (CARB), recently released a new study report showing how electric cars helped cut down the state's emission levels.

As per the study, the rising shift towards EVs in the state helped cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 2.4% or 9.3 million metric tonnes in 2022, compared to the previous year. It also stated that emission levels from 2000 to 2022 across sectors fell by 20%, despite its gross domestic product increasing by 78%. CARB in 2004, introduced a landmark regulation to reduce transportation emissions - the nation's first greenhouse emission standards, which the agency now says is paying off.

As per reports, the 2.4% reduction in emissions is equivalent to removing 2.2 million gas-powered vehicles from California in one year. The transportation sector accounts for the highest reduction in the state's emission level reduction.

Dr Steven Cliff, Executive Officer, CARB, stated, "California has a plan to achieve its emission targets and the data show that the programs we put in place—which include increasing the use of clean fuels and making the switch to zero-emissions technology across sectors—are working."

Similarly, New York City's Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) - the agency responsible for licensing yellow taxi cabs, for-hire vehicles and other commercial vehicles, stated that the city's increasing electric taxi fleet has helped reduce its overall CO2 emissions. In 2024 alone, ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft have adopted Teslas or other EVs accounting for 14 million zero-emission trips. This has translated to helping New York City reduce 19,000 metric tonnes of CO2.

Source: InsideEVs