For the first time since government records began in 1975, compact SUVs have overtaken sedans as the most environmentally friendly car type in the United States. According to recent data from the Environmental Protection Agency, in 2023, compact SUVs emitted less carbon pollution per mile than the average sedan, a shift attributed to the rapid electrification of this vehicle category.
Over one-third of new compact SUVs sold in the U.S. are now electric vehicles (EVs). That’s compared to just 15% of sedans. This surge in electric SUV production has been faster than in any other vehicle category in the nation.
Automakers have prioritized producing electric SUVs to meet the growing consumer demand for this popular vehicle type. These SUVs accounted for over 56% of all new U.S. car sales in 2023. A 2024 report from automotive consumer information provider iSeeCars found that SUVs are the top vehicle choice in 48 out of 50 states.
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Compact SUVs are now the least polluting cars on the road. However, their larger counterparts, “truck SUVs,” such as the Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Suburban, remain among the highest-emitting vehicles.
These models have seen far less emphasis on electrification. That leaves them as a leading source of automotive pollution across all vehicle types.
[Jack]
THE COMPACT SUV IS NOW THE MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CAR IN THE U.S.
TAKING A TITLE LONG HELD BY THE SEDAN, THANKS TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES….ACCORDING TO RECENT DATA FROM THE EPA.
THE FEDERAL AGENCY FOUND THAT LAST YEAR, SUVS EMITTED LESS CARBON POLLUTION PER MILE THAN THE AVERAGE SEDAN FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE GOVERNMENT RECORDS BEGAN IN 1975.
THIS IS BECAUSE SUVS ARE GOING ELECTRIC AT A FASTER RATE THAN SEDANS.
MORE THAN A THIRD OF NEW COMPACT SUVS SOLD IN THE U.S. ARE NOW EVS- COMPARED TO 15 PERCENT OF SEDANS.
IN FACT, ELECTRIC SUVS ARE BEING PRODUCED AT A QUICKER PACE THAN ANY OTHER VEHICLE CATEGORY IN THE COUNTRY.
AUTOMAKERS ARE PRIORITIZING THE ELECTRIFICATION OF SUVS OVER OTHER VEHICLE TYPES DUE TO THEIR POPULARITY AMONG AMERICANS.
A 20-24 REPORT BY AUTOMOTIVE CONSUMER INFORMATION PROVIDER ISEECARS FOUND SUVS ARE THE MOST POPULAR VEHICLE CHOICE IN 48 OUT OF 50 STATES.
AND LAST YEAR, SUVS ACCOUNTED FOR OVER 56 PERCENT OF ALL NEW CAR SALES IN THE U.S.
THESE TRENDS HAVE MOTIVATED MANUFACTURERS TO PRODUCE MORE ELECTRIC SUVS-
CONTRIBUTING TO THE OVERALL DROP IN EMISSIONS FROM THIS VEHICLE CATEGORY.
HOWEVER, WHILE THE COMPACT SUV IS NOW THE LEAST POLLUTIVE CAR OPTION-
THEIR LARGER COUNTERPART- KNOWN AS TRUCK SUVS – ARE AMONG THE DIRTIEST.
THINK MODELS LIKE THE CADILLAC ESCALADE AND CHEVROLET SUBURBAN.
THIS VEHICLE CATEGORY HASN’T RECEIVED THE SAME RAPID ELECTRIFICATION TREATMENT-
MAKING TRUCK SUVS ONE OF THE BIGGEST POLLUTERS ON THE ROAD.
FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP AND SIGN UP FOR ALERTS FROM ME- JACK AYLMER.
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