Are EVs just coal cars? In general, even with a high coal electricity mix, there is indeed some emission reduction from small EVs; however, for EV buses, benefit is marginal, says Gorguinpour. EVs also offer a public health benefit by reducing air pollution in city centers
Coal-powered EVs move pollution from tier 1 cities, where EVs are used, to tier 2-4 cities, where coal plants are. Pollution is simply redistributed, adds @KennedyCSIS