For Alberta: The pie chart is a real-time representation of Alberta’s power generation sources, sourced from the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) Current Supply & Demand API. The tool calculates grid carbon intensity by weighting each generation source’s share by its emission factor, then compares EV and ICE vehicle emissions.

Alberta AESO Current Supply Demand Report:
ets.aeso.ca

For other provinces: Data is gathered from publicly accessible sources including IESO (Ontario) and historical generation profiles.

Emission factors (IPCC AR5 lifecycle medians, reviewed March 2026):

– Coal: 0.820 kg CO₂/kWh — IPCC AR5 median (phased out in Alberta June 2024)
– Natural Gas (Combined Cycle): 0.490 kg CO₂/kWh — IPCC AR5 median
– Cogeneration (CHP): 0.370 kg CO₂/kWh — efficiency-adjusted for combined heat and power
– Biomass/Other: 0.230 kg CO₂/kWh — IPCC lifecycle (non-CO₂ GHGs + supply chain)
– Diesel: 0.720 kg CO₂/kWh — IPCC lifecycle for petroleum
– Renewables (Solar, Wind, Hydro, Nuclear): 0.000 kg CO₂/kWh
– Gasoline (vehicle fuel): 2.307 kg CO₂/L — ECCC Table 2-2, GHG Quantification Requirements 2024
– Diesel (vehicle fuel): 2.681 kg CO₂/L — ECCC Table 2-2

– Fuel consumption values are sourced from Natural Resources Canada

Click the Carbon Intensity display on the tool for a live breakdown of how the current grid carbon intensity is calculated.

We are always open to improving the accuracy of the tool. If you have better sources for the inputs, please email us at [email protected].

Notes:

– The tool currently works for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) only, not Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV)
– Our thanks to Dr. Hesam Yazdanpanahi for the inspiration to create this tool
– Alberta completed its coal phaseout in June 2024, with all former coal plants converted to natural gas. Cogeneration (combined heat and power, largely from oil sands operations) now accounts for approximately half of Alberta’s electricity generation.