Thread by @nytimes

Governments and automakers around the world are focused on selling newer, cleaner electric vehicles as a key solution to climate change.

But it could take years, if not decades, before it has a drastic effect on greenhouse gas emissions.

Here’s why. nyti.ms/3l5hMRw

There are 250 million cars, SUVs, vans and pickup trucks on America’s roads today. The vast majority run on gasoline. Fewer than 1% are electric. nyti.ms/3l5hMRw

Electric vehicles could make up a quarter of new sales by 2035, analysts project.

But at that point, only 13% of vehicles on the road would be electric because conventional cars and trucks are becoming more reliable and lasting longer on the road. nyti.ms/3l5hMRw

Even in 2050, when electric vehicles are projected to make up 60% of new sales, the majority of vehicles on the road would still run on gasoline.

This is a major challenge for climate policy. nyti.ms/3l5hMRw

If the U.S. wanted to move to a fully electric fleet by 2050 — to meet President Biden’s goal of net zero emissions — then sales of gasoline-powered vehicles would likely have to end altogether by around 2035, a heavy lift. nyti.ms/3l5hMRw

Emissions from transportation account for nearly a third of America’s greenhouse gas emissions.

See more here on why it will take so long to rid U.S. roads of existing gasoline-powered vehicles. nyti.ms/3l5hMRw