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Vehicle Lifecycle Emissions Calculator

About ToolTool GuideCalculation DetailsInput ParametersResults

About This Tool

Calculate total lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions for new vehicles based on your location and driving patterns. Lifecycle emissions include emissions from manufacturing, petroleum extraction and battery production (for electric vehicles), emissions from driving the vehicle (use phase) and end-of-life disposal. The methodology is based on research published in Smith et al., 2025.


Tool Guide

Instructions
  1. Select Location: Set your region for accurate electricity grid mix (NREL Cambium Model) and temperature-based variations (NOAA).
  2. Vehicle Comparison: Compare two models by selecting:
    • Class: Compact/Midsize Sedan, Crossover, Midsize SUV, or Pickup
    • Powertrain: Battery Electric, Plug-in Hybrid, Hybrid, or Internal Combustion
  3. Driving pattern: Adjust city/highway split and PHEV Utility Factor (percentage of Electric driving). Not sure? Keep our default settings based on EPA and SAE standards for typical U.S. driving patterns.

Results
View your comparison across three tabs:
  1. Two Vehicle Comparison compares lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions for selected vehicles.
  2. Compare All Vehicles displays a heatmap comparing emissions across all available vehicle models.
  3. Emissions Differences by US County presents an interactive county-level map displaying regional emission variations for selected vehicles. Regional differences account for variations in temperature and electricity grid mix.

Calculation Details

Total life cycle emissions combine two key phases: (1) vehicle cycle emissions including vehicle production and disposal based on the GREET 2023 model, and (2) use phase emissions including both driving and upstream fuel production and/or electricity generation.

Default calculations are based on EPA and SAE standards, which assume:
Grid decarbonization over the vehicle's lifetime is factored into the analysis and based on grid intensity projections from NREL's Cambium model. For complete methodology details, please reference Smith et. al, 2025 (linked below). Please email us at gregak@umich.edu to answer further questions or to provide feedback and suggestions for the tool.

Input Parameters
Set Values

Location

Enter location data


Vehicle Choice

Choose two vehicles for comparison

Driving Patterns

Optional: Set usage patterns

Results

Two Vehicle Emissions Comparison
In Los Angeles County, CA
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Powertrain Types Legend
ICEV
Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle
HEV
Hybrid Electric Vehicle
PHEV
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle with ranges of 35 miles (PHEV35) or 50 miles (PHEV50) in electric mode
BEV
Battery Electric Vehicle with ranges of -150, -200, -300, and -400 miles