Scientists say replacing gas cars with EVs cuts lifetime emissions by 50%
New research challenges the myth that keeping an old gas car is greener than switching to electric.
Conversation activity · last 3 days peak 17/hr
Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 40 items across 2 sources · 6h ago. Quotes are verbatim.
A Grist article citing scientific research argues that replacing even relatively new gas vehicles with electric cars yields approximately 50% lifetime emissions savings. The finding contradicts the common belief that the greenest car is the one already in use, sparking debate on Reddit about EV practicality, battery technology, and whether early retirement of gas vehicles truly benefits the environment.
- New research claims replacing gas cars with EVs yields 50% lifetime emissions savings, contradicting the 'greenest car is one you own' principle.
- Reddit commenters raised practical objections including charging time, road trip duration, battery technology limits for freight, and concerns retired cars continue in use elsewhere.
- Some commenters cited existing research claiming the emissions benefit myth was already debunked, while others highlighted EV economic advantages and low maintenance costs.
- Discussion highlighted tensions between climate goals and competing environmental concerns like geopolitical conflicts and oil infrastructure damage.
How it unfolded
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Reaction Broader climate crisis context raised
Commenter petr_bena argues EV adoption is negligible compared to pollution from Ukraine conflict and oil infrastructure fires, calling efforts 'a drop in the ocean.'
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Reaction Debate over practical EV limitations
Multiple commenters raise concerns about charging times, road trip duration increases, and freight viability without battery tech breakthroughs.
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Reaction Skeptics cite debunking sources
MadScienti5t references CBC, TD Economics, and EPA sources claiming the myth was already debunked, calling the claim misinformation.
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Reaction Concerns about retired vehicles continuing use
Willing_Park_5405, an EV owner, argues the reasoning is flawed because retired gas cars continue being driven by others until end-of-life.
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Reaction Reddit discussion on hybrid vs. EV maintenance
Commenter Mean_Initiative_5962 notes that hybrids appear worst overall while EVs have lowest maintenance costs and retain functionality over 10 years.
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Report Reddit shares research on emissions savings
The article is shared on Reddit, highlighting that swapping even a 2-year-old gas car for an EV leads to roughly 50% lifetime emissions savings, with a quote stating 'There is a big advantage to retiring the gas vehicles early.'
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Report Grist publishes EV research findings
Grist publishes an article by Tik Root presenting new research suggesting that swapping internal combustion engines for EVs is almost always the greener choice.
What people are saying verbatim
“There is a big advantage to retiring the gas vehicles early.”
Scientists (cited in research) · Grist / Reddit · Aug 8, 1:28 PM
“Nah, Ill keep my '01 Ford Ranger thanks. Simple machine that I can repair easily in my driveway, doesn't have cameras or internet access or any other unnecessary bullshit”
RabbitfolkThief, Reddit commenter · Reddit
“This (as a 2 ev family) is a bullshit tactic. That gas car you 'get rid of' continues to be used until it dies if not by you by someone else.”
Willing_Park_5405, Reddit commenter · Reddit
“I know someone who leased an EV because the lease payments were less than what he was paying in gas. That's $ savings.”
MadScienti5t, Reddit commenter · Reddit
“if world is too weak to address that even after so many years, then good luck trying to avert climate crisis by forcing few fucking EVs… it's like a drop in the ocean”
petr_bena, Reddit commenter · Reddit
Voices from the web unedited
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I am currently in the process of buying a new vehicle to reduce my fuel costs. I want to go with an EV however…. In Canada at least, I can’t even find dealerships with any EV’s. Every lot has hundreds of ICE vehicles and if I’m lucky has 1 or 2 EV’s and never in the exact model I’m interested in. So if I want an EV I pretty much have to factory…
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yea I’m also not spending 7-9 a day on charging. Because of the range/tank difference I’m charging that 9$ cost about 1/3 more times than I’d fill up gas. So - roughly - for every 2 times I’d fill up a gas tank I would plug in to charge 3 times. In reality my app says I spend a spend a few bucks $1-$3 on charging at a time most of the time, and…
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What makes you think I believe I'm some kind of incognito superhero? I'm just not going to pony up extra $$$ for products I don't want or need that mostly add new layers of data collection by tech companies that have shown they are not trustworthy and are simply in it for themselves. I had a smartphone for years and got tired of paying a small…
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My first EV was years ago when there wasn’t a great charging network in my area, but I lived out in the sticks 45 minutes from the nearest town where my job was. Being able to have a full tank at my house whenever I wanted it was honestly what got me to start looking at EVs. Now I live in the city limits and it actually makes a little less sense…
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You’re one of the smartest people on the internet, one of the few that have heard of and can wrap their heads around such an advanced theory. Learning takes time, you took no time. Still waiting for you to actually refute my argument Why do people who don't bother understanding what other people say always demand to have their arguments refuted as…
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Is this actually true? My compact 2005 Honda that I bought used for €4400 and might get €500 for, if I got rid of it? The emissions to build it are already emitted and making me a new €40k EV will add about as much again, maybe more. The emissions difference between equivalent electricity generation vs. 10,000 to 15,000 km at 6 liters/100 km can't…
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governments across the world including US are also more and more tolerant to what Putin does in Ukraine. 1 day of his war pollutes planet more than any of these EVs could ever help. Oil storages, tankers and refineries on fire constantly burning, flaring the gas that was delivered to half the EU in the past just for the fun of it… if world is too…
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Never had a line and it takes 12-15 minutes, depending on the charger.. Takes me 3-4 minutes on the petrol cars and if theres a line to pay that time drags on more because everyone goes through the human cashier. So not really much of a difference. Furthermore I mostly charge at home, only need public chargers on big trips. Anymore 2021 talking…
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yeah mate. You’re one of the smartest people on the internet, one of the few that have heard of and can wrap their heads around such an advanced theory. There’s no way poor stupid old me could have possibly learned about this incredibly common, widely cited idea some time in the last 150 years. Still waiting for you to actually refute my argument
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Every time I'm reading about it, it seems that hybrids are the worst about everything, EVs have the lowest maintenance costs and those who had them for like 10 years say they're still perfect and battery life isn't really something you notice changing unless you're using a whole charge a day (which is nowadays about 300km)