Electric car drivers have been handed a major boost - with EV motorists and drivers told their cars are giving off fewer lifetime emissions than petrol. A new study has also found EV motorists "outperform all other" vehicles. The International Council on Clean Transportation found that hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles reduce emissions by just 20 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively, when compared to conventional petrol models. A new study by the ICCT now shows that their climate advantage is growing faster than previously assumed. Today’s EVs sold in Europe emit 73 per cent fewer greenhouse gases over their lifetime compared to petrol cars. READ MORE Santander handing £500 spending money to certain customers going on holiday According to the ICCT, the study includes “greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle and battery production and recycling, fuel and electricity production, fuel consumption, and maintenance.” While battery electric vehicles initially produce approximately 40 per cent more emissions during manufacturing due to battery production, these are offset after just 17,000 kilometres of driving. This typically occurs within the first one to two years of ownership, after which electric vehicles deliver consistently lower emissions throughout their operational life. Marta Negri, researcher at the ICCT, said: "Battery electric cars in Europe are getting cleaner faster than we expected and outperform all other technologies, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids. "This progress is largely due to the fast deployment of renewable electricity across the continent and the greater energy efficiency of battery electric cars." “Misinformation and selective use of data have generated confusion regarding the climate credentials of electric vehicles,” the authors write. For example, while EV production causes roughly 40 per cent more emissions than petrol cars, this ‘CO2 backpack’ is offset after just 17,000 kilometres – typically within the first or second year of use. After that, the EV remains cleaner for the rest of its average 20-year life. "We hope this study brings clarity to the public conversation, so that policymakers and industry leaders can make informed decisions,” said Dr. Georg Bieker, ICCT Senior Researcher. “We’ve recently seen auto industry leaders misrepresenting the emissions math on hybrids. But life-cycle analysis is not a choose-your-own-adventure exercise. Our study accounts for the most representative use cases and is grounded in real-world data. Consumers deserve accurate, science-backed information.”