Environmental Effects of Battery Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles

Increased deployment of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and other alternative-fueled vehicles in the United States could have a variety of effects on energy security, the economy, and the environment. In an effort to address certain environmental concerns, including climate change, some Members of Congress and some stakeholder interest groups have expressed interest in the promotion of these technologies—specifically BEV technologies. This interest may include an analysis of the environmental effects of BEVs from a systems perspective, commonly referred to as “life cycle assessment” (LCA).