Some facts about cars, from what seems to be a
reputable source, the Argonne National Laboratory in the US.
Comparing conventional, hybrid and hydrogen powered cars, there's no doubt that the conventional cars are worst by a wide margin in terms of total energy used in a lifetime of production + 160,000 statute miles + disposal per vehicle. (Battery pack replacement is accounted for where relevant.) This is especially true if the vehicle is mostly used in an urban environment.
However, there is no overall winner in terms of pollutants per kilometre (CO, NOx, SOx, PM10). At this point the excessively dirty technologies used in some industries are detracting from the benefits of clean energy. For example, if your household electricity is primarily derived from coal, charging the electric car at home is not as helpful as one would hope. Dirty rare earth mining in China is a major drag on battery pack "cleanness". (Buy Lynas. They are cleaner than Chinese production, and it contributes to my retirement.
)
Still, early days. Probably not fair to compare tenth generation (?) internal combustion engines with second generation electric vehicles.
I think that's a fair summary of the information. Corrections welcomed.