Every long tailpipe argument I've heard revolves around the idea that electrical generation for EVs emits pollution, perhaps nearly as much as burning gasoline. These arguments may ignore the amount of electricity that the production of gasoline itself requires. I don't know. I've yet to see a study that itemizes the total energy costs of putting a gallon of gasoline into a tank.
One site* -- with self-described apples to oranges comparisons -- puts the electrical usage at about 12kW per gallon. Could this number be correct? If so, it would seem that the long tailpipe argument fails right there: 12kW will probably propel an EV at least as far as a gallon of gasoline would an ICE, while with an EV the extra carbon emissions of burning the gasoline are avoided.
*Emissions
One site* -- with self-described apples to oranges comparisons -- puts the electrical usage at about 12kW per gallon. Could this number be correct? If so, it would seem that the long tailpipe argument fails right there: 12kW will probably propel an EV at least as far as a gallon of gasoline would an ICE, while with an EV the extra carbon emissions of burning the gasoline are avoided.
*Emissions