Electric cars have slowly but surely become the ultimate status symbol for Hollywood’s eco-minded elite, with everyone from Robert Downey Jr. to Kim Kardashian jumping on the trend.
But scientists now say that getting behind the wheel of an electric vehicle (EV) doesn’t make these celebs as green as they might like to think.
Researchers from the University of Turku, Finland, found that on average EV drivers actually have a bigger carbon footprint than drivers who own petrol or diesel cars.
While their cars might cut down on emissions, the researchers say that EV owners’ glitzier lifestyles mean they contribute more to climate change overall.
The average EV owner churns out half a tonne more CO2 per year with owners of the sportiest models producing almost two tonnes more pollution.
Electric vehicles (EV) might be the ultimate status symbol for Hollywood’s eco-minded elite, but a new study shows that EV owners actually have a bigger carbon footprint
Electric vehicles have steadily become the ultimate status symbol for eco-minded celebs with the £75,000 electric Tesla Cybertruck being the most popular option for celebs like Kim Kardashian (pictured)
The researchers surveyed almost 4,000 Finnish people about their car ownership, background and lifestyle.
The participants also provided answers about their housing, transport, and purchasing habits to estimate their carbon footprint.
Overall, someone who owned an internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV) which runs on petrol or diesel created 8.05 tonnes of CO2 or equivalent greenhouse gases per year.
Considering that environmental concerns are a major reason for purchasing an electric vehicle you might expect EV owners’ emissions to be lower.
However, the average EV driver actually has a slightly larger carbon footprint than those who opt for cars powered by fossil fuels, producing 8.66 tonnes of emissions per year.
The researchers also noticed that there was a big difference between the two types of EV owners.
EV owners who said they were most concerned with the economy and reliability of their cars produced much less pollution – contributing just 7.59 tonnes per year.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has led the way for eco-friendly electric vehicles. The billionaire is pictured here stepping into a Tesla car while on a trip to Beijing
The eco-friendly Tesla Cybertrack is now the must-have car for celebs like Def Jam rapper Big Sean (pictured)
Owners who said they were more concerned about their car’s performance on the other hand were significantly more polluting than any other group.
On average, performance-minded EV owners create 10.25 tonnes of polluting gases every year.
That gives some EV owners a carbon footprint nearly double that of those who don’t own cars – who produce just 5.75 tonnes per year.
The researchers point out that using an EV cuts down these drivers’ footprints by around 19 per cent compared to if they were using ICEVs instead.
Celebs like Lady Gaga (pictured) may have bought electric vehicles in the hope of reducing their carbon footprints, but researchers suggest that the flashy lifestyles of EV owners end up increasing their carbon footprints
Researchers say that income is the biggest determining factor for carbon footprint. So, while Leonardo DiCaprio might have splashed out for a less-polluting Polestar electric sportscar (pictured) his carbon footprint will still be higher than average
However, the emissions saved by switching to electric power don’t outweigh the massive amount of extra emissions produced by some EV drivers.
The researchers believe that EV owners’ bigger carbon footprints may be largely due to their flashier lifestyles.
In their paper, published in PLOS CLIMATE, the researchers write: ‘Prior research has established that income is the strongest predictor of carbon footprint as higher income is associated with larger homes as well as more travel and consumption.’
The researchers continue: ‘Since EV households tend to have a high income, their total carbon footprint is also above average.’
On average, the researchers found that EV owners tended to be wealthier, more educated, drive their cars more often, and have a higher carbon footprint
Eco-conscious celeb Robert Downey Jr. starred in a TV show in which he converted his classic car collection to electric motors. But his use of private jets likely outweighs any emissions he saved
On average, the researchers found that EV owners tended to have a higher household income and more financial stability.
In their sample, almost a quarter of all households which owned an EV had a monthly income of more than £6,250 (€7,500).
For comparison, according to the latest data, the average monthly household income in the UK is £2,875.
The researchers believe that this extra disposable income translates into a higher average carbon footprint.
It’s no secret that the rich and famous who have most vocally championed electric vehicles are among some of the biggest individual polluters.
This is especially true for those celebs who still enjoy flying around the world on their private planes.
During a single four-hour flight, a single private jet can produce more than eight tonnes of CO2 – more than the average person produces in an entire year.
Justin Bieber is seen stepping out his his Tesla Cybertruck, the singer was among the first celebrities to receive this expensive vehicle
George Clooney, who was one of the first people to own a Tango T600 electric car as well as a Tesla Roadster, is frequently seen travelling by private jet.
Another Hollywood elite who has been a champion of the EV is Robert Downey Jr. who even launched a TV show converting his classic car collection to electric engines.
However, the Iron Man actor is also extremely enthusiastic about travel by jet and even reportedly included private jet travel in his latest contract with Marvel.
Likewise, the billionaire founder of Tesla, Elon Musk, is estimated to have flown by private jet a little under once every two days during 2023.
Researchers estimate that this expensive habit produces 2,112 tons of CO2 every year.
Even without his jet, a 2021 research paper estimates that Mr Musk’s lifestyle produces an additional 2,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.
Pharrell Williams was spotted driving a newly delivered Cybertruck shortly after the vehicles were released
In addition to a higher income and carbon footprint, the researchers also found that the average EV owner differed from ICEV drivers in several key ways.
EV drivers had typically received a higher level of education, with more than half having received some university or post-high school education.
They were also more likely to own their own house and be in stable, full-time employment.
Additionally, those who owned EVs typically owned more cars and reported driving significantly further than those who owned cars powered by petrol or diesel.
On average, EV users drove 18,640 miles (30,000 km) which was more than double the 8,800 miles (14,200 km) covered by non-EV drivers.
The researchers write: ‘This might suggest that among current EV users there are large numbers of participants who use their car for work or consider driving a hobby.’
