A new tailpipe emissions calculator developed by the U.S. Department of Energy generates estimates of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with driving an electric vehicle (EV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) anywhere in the U.S. The calculations include emissions from the production of electricity used to power the vehicle.

To use the calculator, enter the make, model and model year of the vehicle along with the zip code where the vehicle will be charging. Zip code is required because emissions are dependent upon fuels used to generate the electricity and varies by location.

The upstream GHG emissions are estimated in grams per mile for the specified zip code, the average U.S. electricity grid mix and the upstream and tailpipe GHG emissions for an average new gasoline vehicle. Source: U.S. Department of EnergyResults include both upstream and tailpipe emissions for PHEVs.

Example calculations show that a Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD in Marin County, California, yields tailpipe plus upstream emissions of 60 g/mile, compared to 120 g/mile with the average U.S. electricity mix and 410 g/mile for an average new gasoline vehicle’s total emissions. The same vehicle model in Casper, Wyoming, has 80 g/mile tailpipe plus upstream emissions and 130 g/mile in Phoenix, Arizona.

A Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV emits up to 270 g/mile in Marin County compared with 320 g/mile with the average U.S. electricity mix, 280 g/mile in Casper and 330 g/mile in Phoenix.