Yes. At a local level, EVs do not have tailpipe emissions (such as Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), Carbon Monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM)) that cause localized air pollution which can negatively affect public health. At a broader level, the overall emissions associated with using an EV depend on the source of electricity. So, the relative emissions of EVs can vary quite a bit depending on where they are being used and charged. Even with this variability, however, EVs have much lower per-mile emissions than traditional fuel-powered vehicles.
EVs charged in Durango and within LPEA’s service territory use electricity generated from an energy mix of energy sources. LPEA is on track to significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity in our region.
The EPA’s Beyond the Tailpipe Emissions Calculator is a great resource for understanding the emissions associated with EVs.