If you just burned fossil fuel to generate electricity instead of using gas or diesel, you would still have a net reduction in emissions simply due to the net efficiency difference between large power generators and ICEs. Also, much of that pollution wouldn't be where as many people are living, which would have health benefits. All this ignores cleaner power generation options.

Sure non-car options are superior where they're feasible and should definitely be looked at. But for a lot of places and people, that isn't an option now, and won't be for another 10 years. So maybe we should think about ways to get there without literally setting the world on fire.