1. Select where you live (this accounts for the emissions intensity of the electricity grid in your region).
2. Select up to four different vehicle types, including petrol, hybrid and battery electric vehicles.
3. Scroll down to compare the average lifecycle emissions between the different types of vehicles you have selected.
For more information about the lifecycle emissions of cars, and how this calculator was developed, you can download a copy of our explainer by clicking here.
*Please note that this tool has been designed to provide an estimate of the average lifecycle emissions for different vehicle segments, depending on where they are driven in Australia. It is important to note that the data presented is representative and does not provide specific estimates of lifecycle emissions for any particular vehicle make or model.
While we have been conservative in our assumptions for calculating the lifecycle emissions of EVs in order to show some of the worst possible scenarios, conversely we have applied optimistic assumptions for hybrids to show some of the best (probably beyond realistic) scenarios.
For example, although hybrid vehicles include an electric motor, and a small battery, in addition to a combustion engine, we have assumed the manufacturing emissions are no higher than a conventional petrol vehicle. Exact figures can vary across models, but global studies suggest hybrid manufacturing emissions in reality are probably closer to at least 5 to 7% higher than similar petrol cars.
As shown in this calculator, when comparing vehicles in the same segment (size), EVs always deliver a greater reduction in lifecycle emissions compared to hybrid vehicles. Several other lifecycle analyses from around the world have come to the same conclusion. You can view some of these here:
Please note that plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are not included in the current iteration of this calculator due to the wide variation in possible results depending on how regularly they are charged.
Hybrid vehicles are not available in every vehicle segment in Australia (e.g. People Movers, Utes, Vans, etc). As a result, only segments with hybrids have been included in this calculator.
Disclaimer: It is the intention of this tool to help to provide general information that informs discussion by consumers, media and policy-makers on vehicle emissions. All lifecycle assessments are inherently uncertain given the complexity of factors that need to be accounted for. As such, each estimate provided in the above tool should be considered as a range given the uncertainties and variabilities present in all lifecycle assessments. This tool is useful for providing indicative insight into vehicle emissions, and the relative differences between vehicle fuel types. We welcome more manufacturers in publishing the full lifecycle emissions of their product portfolios, given they are in the best position to analyse their own supply chains. We hope the publication of this tool helps to encourage these efforts.
The Electric Vehicle Council would like to acknowledge the support of Transport & Environment in developing this calculator. The online calculator tool design was made by Mutual.