Electric cars reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to comparable gasoline cars. For example, here is a comparison of the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid versus Electric models on tailpipe + upstream CO2 emissions, based on the electricity mix where I live in Southern California . . .

The hybrid clocks in at 194 grams of CO2 per mile. The electric version comes in at 70. That's a 64% reduction, and that is compared to a hybrid car that gets 55 MPG, far better than the typical gasoline car driven in America. https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=42242&id=42273&#tab2

Electric cars actually have higher emissions to manufacture than comparable gas cars, because of their large batteries, but their emissions from use are so much lower, that they still have substantially lower lifecycle GHG emissions. https://www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-how-electric-vehicles-help-to-tackle-climate-change

The GHG emissions from EV manufacture and use are not static. They vary depending on the location of manufacture and charging. The cleaner the energy inputs into those processes, the lower the emissions. EVs can be charged off of renewable energy like solar and wind.

Cars of all types cause some real problems, but the environmental benefits of EVs versus ICE cars are real and significant. As we seek solutions to the range of environmental and transportation problems we face, we should proceed with a foundation of facts without fear of nuance.

If you're a multi-modal transportation advocate and feeling threatened by EVs, don't be. There are still plenty of really good arguments to reduce car use in general. The best one IMO is the number of people who die in crashes every year. That number was 36,560 Americans in 2018.

That death toll from cars is a systemic problem. It happens year after year. While I believe it is important to hold individual drivers accountable to operate their vehicles safely, you can't just give the system a pass. We have solutions and choose not to implement them.

If you're interested in learning more about road safety (or the lack thereof) in the U.S. This is an excellent website: https://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx