A first-of-its-kind tool designed to help Utah car buyers compare the costs and emissions of electric vehicles (EVs) with gasoline-powered vehicles has been launched. Developed by Adrian Martino, a data science student at the University of Utah, this innovative application provides drivers with insights using real-world, localized data specific to Utah’s electrical grid and gas prices.
Martino, who created the tool during his graduate studies in the Professional Science Master’s Program, partnered with nonprofit Utah Clean Energy to make this resource available to consumers. The Cost & Emissions Comparison Tool empowers users to examine various vehicle models, calculate driving costs, and assess emissions scenarios, offering a clear perspective for potential EV buyers.
“What makes this tool uniquely powerful is the ability to toggle between different electricity grid scenarios,” Martino stated. This feature allows users to evaluate how their vehicle emissions fluctuate based on the sources of electricity that power an EV. Whether considering today’s grid, a cleaner future grid, or a coal-heavy scenario, the tool provides a visual representation of the environmental impacts of each option.
The project was funded by the National Science Foundation’s Futures Engine in the Southwest program. The concept for the tool originated with Utah Clean Energy’s climate scientist Logan Mitchell, who recognized the need for such a resource but lacked the time to bring it to fruition. He guided Martino throughout the development process, aiming to create a valuable tool for a wide audience.
“I’m hopeful that this is going to become a really useful tool that a lot of people can utilize, especially stakeholders, legislators, reporters,” Mitchell expressed. He anticipates that journalists will reference the tool to enhance their reporting, ensuring it aligns with the best available information concerning EV costs and emissions.
By collaborating with experts from Utah Clean Energy, Martino and his team utilized public data from Rocky Mountain Power’s Integrated Resource Plan to analyze how emissions from electricity used in EVs compare to those from gas vehicles. The result is a user-friendly platform that allows Utah residents to input varying scenarios to effectively measure emissions and costs side by side.
Kelbe Goupil, senior associate for electrification at Utah Clean Energy, emphasized the tool’s relevance, stating, “One of the most common questions we get about going electric is, ‘What if an EV is powered by coal? Is it still better for the climate?’ This tool gives you a clear, data-driven answer.”
The decision to switch to an electric vehicle can be significant, and the resource offers clarity for anyone contemplating this transition. Users can analyze the fuel costs and payback periods of various EV and gas vehicle models. They can also assess the emissions impacts of different models, customizing their power source from options such as rooftop solar, Rocky Mountain Power’s current electricity mix, or even extreme scenarios like a 100% coal or 100% renewable grid.
As the transportation sector remains the largest source of CO2 emissions in the U.S., transitioning to electric vehicles is essential in the fight against climate change. The new tool illuminates the advantages of emission reductions as the electricity grid grows cleaner, providing vital information about Utah’s electricity landscape and future projections.
This innovative resource represents a significant step towards facilitating more informed decisions about vehicle choices among Utah drivers and supporting the broader goal of reducing carbon emissions.
image source from：attheu
