Electric Cars and CO2 Emissions

Electric cars don't burn oil, but whether they reduce greenhouse gas emissions depends on how the electricity that powers them is produced. If the energy comes from burning coal, then the greenhouse emissions are greater from your electric car than from a gas-electric hybrid (e.g., a Prius). Scientific American has a neat application that allows you to see whether you would be helping the planet by driving an electric car in your state. In Maryland, an electric car would result in the emission of 6.1% more carbon dioxide than a hybrid.