Are electric vehicles really lower carbon than petrol cars?

Yes. Over their full lifecycle (including manufacturing and electricity generation), EVs in the UK produce approximately 50–70% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than equivalent petrol or diesel vehicles. As the grid continues to decarbonise, this advantage will increase.

How do I report EV charging in my carbon footprint?

Electricity used to charge company EVs is reported as Scope 2 (purchased electricity). If charging occurs at employees’ homes, the cost is typically reimbursed and reported in Scope 3 Category 7 (Employee Commuting) or Scope 1 equivalent. The key is to track charging electricity separately and apply the correct grid or green tariff emission factors.

Electric Vehicle (EV)

An electric vehicle is a vehicle powered entirely or primarily by an electric motor and rechargeable battery, producing zero direct tailpipe emissions.

What is Electric Vehicle (EV)?

Electric vehicles are central to the decarbonisation of transport, which accounts for approximately 27% of UK greenhouse gas emissions. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) produce zero tailpipe emissions, eliminating the Scope 1 emissions associated with company vehicles. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) produce reduced but non-zero tailpipe emissions.

From a carbon accounting perspective, EVs shift emissions from Scope 1 (direct fuel combustion) to Scope 2 (electricity consumption for charging). The net reduction depends on the carbon intensity of the electricity grid. In the UK, where the grid is approximately 200 gCO₂e/kWh (and falling), EVs produce roughly 50–70% fewer lifecycle emissions than equivalent petrol or diesel vehicles.

The UK has banned the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2035. Company car tax incentives (Benefit in Kind rates) heavily favour EVs. Many organisations are transitioning their fleets to electric, driven by both cost savings and emission reduction targets.

Practical Examples

A facilities management company replaces 200 diesel vans with electric equivalents, reducing its fleet Scope 1 emissions by 85% and saving £1,800 per vehicle per year in fuel and maintenance costs.

A sales team switches from company petrol cars to EVs, moving 500 tCO₂e from Scope 1 to approximately 100 tCO₂e in Scope 2 electricity consumption.

A council transitions its refuse collection fleet to electric, supported by depot charging infrastructure and a green electricity tariff.

How Climatise Helps

Climatise tracks both the Scope 1 savings from retiring combustion vehicles and the new Scope 2 emissions from EV charging, giving organisations a clear picture of the net fleet decarbonisation benefit.

Book a Demo

Related Terms

Frequently Asked Questions

Need help understanding your carbon data?

Climatise turns complex emissions data into clear, useful reports. Book a call and we'll walk you through it.

Book a Demo