Westport’s Carbon Footprint and Electric Vehicle Adoption
Westport is among the worst polluters globally on a per capita basis, with higher emissions even than Qatar. Representative Town Meeting member and environmentalist Clarence Hayes highlights that some emissions are direct, such as driving large cars and heating big houses, while others are indirect, like the high consumption of goods and services with their associated carbon footprint.
Progress in Electric Vehicle Adoption
Hayes analyzed data from 2024 and the previous 5 years, using a tool he developed that leverages a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration database. He found that:
- The average electric vehicle (EV) generates 80 gCO2e per mile.
- The average gas car in Westport generates 482 gCO2e per mile, six times more than EVs.
- Between 2022 and 2023, Westport added 275 EVs, and between 2023 and 2024, it added 323, bringing the total to 6.5% of all registered vehicles.
Despite the progress, Westport still emits 5.3 tons of CO2 per person from cars alone, while France’s total carbon footprint per person is 6 tons.
Personal Experience with Electric Vehicles
Hayes recently purchased a used 2024 Nissan Leaf for $15,800, praising its instant acceleration, engine braking, and low maintenance. He notes that EVs have matured, offering various models for different drivers, from minimalist to luxury, with prices continuing to decrease.
Cost Comparison
While EV fuel costs are only slightly lower than those of gas cars in Westport due to high electricity prices, Hayes provides a cost comparison for 2025 new cars across various vehicle types. He suggests considering plug-in hybrids for long-distance trips, as they offer better mileage and reduced emissions.
The Impact of Choices
Hayes emphasizes that the 86 worst-polluting cars in Westport emit the same CO2 as the 1,000 cleanest. He encourages making the next car electric, citing examples of available EV models like Lucid Air, BMW i4, and Audi Q4 eTron.
For those interested in the source data, Hayes can be contacted at [email protected].
