Lucid Air Named Greenest EV in the United States

Bloomberg media named the Tesla Model 3 the “greenest EV in the United States,” but retracted that a day later, naming the Lucid Air as the “greenest EV in the United States.”

Bloomberg’s criteria for the greenest vehicle is generated via a f airly simple equation, which yields a numeric number. A vehicle’s range is divided by its curb weight; that quotient is divided by an economy benchmark of 0.1099. Bloomberg says the economy benchmark, “ is 10% more efficient than the most efficient vehicle to allow room for improved new vehicles.” Then, that quotient is multiplied by 0.7. Then, there’s a battery size benchmark, which Bloomberg says is “29.34, which is 10% smaller than the smallest EV battery on the market to allow room for new vehicles,” is divided by battery size, which is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). That quotient is multiplied by 0.3. Both products are added together, giving the final green car score.

Initially, the Tesla Model 3 took the top honor, but a rechecking of the math placed the Lucid Air Dream Edition at the top. The Chevrolet Bolt EV places fairly high, but the GMC Hummer and Rivian R1T are at the very bottom of the list.

Bloomberg admits that the methodology for calculating “greenness” is messy and complicated. Recharging from dirty power sources like coal, and even the weather (EV’s often get less range in cold, necessitating more charging stops) can really wash out the green benefits of EV ownership. Still, a way to conceptualize a vehicle’s environmental impact is needed. Not all EVs are created equal.

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