Replacing gasoline vehicles with electric models can cut carbon emissions by up to 58 percent. Researchers at UC Santa Barbara and UC Santa Cruz studied carbon emissions from gasoline and battery electric vehicles over varying replacement timelines, revealing that retiring gasoline cars early yields the greatest environmental benefits. The study analyzed more than 400 vehicle models, accounting for manufacturing emissions, grid electricity sources, vehicle mileage, and battery size. Results showed that replacing a gasoline vehicle at year one with a battery electric vehicle reduces emissions by 58 percent over a 16-year lifespan. Going forward, the authors recommend expanding vehicle scrap-and-replace programs and focusing on behavioral factors to accelerate electric vehicle adoption.