Ranking Vehicles by Lifetime CO2 Emissions

Imagine you are shopping for a new vehicle. Many factors may play into your decision, but suppose the factor you weigh most heavily is the environmental impact of the vehicle. Specifically, you want to minimize your contribution of CO2 to the atmosphere to reduce your carbon footprint and your impact on global warming. Below are descriptions of six vehicles. An internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV) is a gasoline-powered vehicle, like the majority of vehicles on the road. An electric vehicle (EV) is powered by electricity that may come from a variety of primary energy sources. An EV runs on the electricity stored in its battery. A standard gasoline-fueled ICEV An ICEV with high fuel efficiency
An ICEV that you choose to drive half as much as the other vehicle choices An EV powered by a mix of electricity sources (26% coal, 26% natural gas, 28% nuclear, and 18% renewable) An EV powered by electricity from coal An EV powered by electricity from wind power Using your understanding of environmental science, make a hypothesis about how these six vehicles compare with regard to total lifetime greenhouse gas emissions. Predict which ranking reflects least CO2 emitted to most CO2 emitted. (Note that all responses will be marked as "correct" at this point.)

EV (wind), ICEV (less driving), EV (mix of sources), ICEV (high-efficiency), standard ICEV, EV (coal) ICEV (high-efficiency), ICEV (less driving), EV (mix of sources), EV (coal), standard ICEV, EV (wind) ICEV (less driving), EV (mix of sources), EV (wind), EV (coal), ICEV (high-efficiency), standard ICEV EV (wind), EV (mix of sources), EV (coal), ICEV (less driving), ICEV (high-efficiency), standard ICEV

Based on the environmental impact of the vehicles in terms of total lifetime greenhouse gas emissions, the ranking from least CO2 emitted to most CO2 emitted would likely be:

1. EV powered by wind power - This vehicle has the lowest emissions since wind power is a renewable energy source with minimal greenhouse gas emissions.
2. ICEV that you choose to drive half as much as the other vehicle choices - Driving less significantly reduces total emissions, even if the vehicle is an ICEV.
3. EV powered by a mix of electricity sources (26% coal, 26% natural gas, 28% nuclear, and 18% renewable) - This vehicle has moderate emissions due to the mix of sources, with some reliance on fossil fuels.
4. ICEV with high fuel efficiency - While this vehicle is more efficient than standard ICEVs, it still emits CO2 due to burning gasoline.
5. Standard gasoline-fueled ICEV - This vehicle has higher emissions compared to the high-efficiency ICEV due to lower fuel efficiency.
6. EV powered by electricity from coal - This vehicle has the highest emissions because coal is one of the most carbon-intensive energy sources.

So, the correct ranking reflecting least CO2 emitted to most CO2 emitted is:

**EV (wind), ICEV (less driving), EV (mix of sources), ICEV (high-efficiency), standard ICEV, EV (coal