A Publicly Available Simulation of Battery Electric, Hybrid Electric, and Gas-Powered Vehicles

Lawrence Fulton

doi:10.3390/en13102569

Abstract

Volatility in energy markets has made the purchase of battery electric vehicles (BEV) or hybrid vehicles (HEVs) attractive versus internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). However, the total cost of ownership (TCO) and true environmental effects, are difficult to assess. This study provides a publicly available, user-driven simulation that estimates the consumer and environmental costs for various vehicle purchase options, supporting policymaker, producer, and consumer information requirements. It appears to be the first to provide a publicly available, user interactive simulation that compares two purchase options simultaneously. It is likely that the first paper to simulate the effects of solar recharging of electric vehicles (EV) on both cost-benefit for the consumer and environmental benefit (e.g., carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, non-methane organic gasses, particulate matter, and formaldehyde) simultaneously, demonstrating how, as an example, solar-based charging of BEVs and HEVs reduces carbon emissions over grid-based charging. Two specific scenarios are explicated, and the results of show early break-even for both BEV and Plug-in HEV (PHEV) options over ICEV (13 months, and 12 months, respectively) with CO2 emissions about ½ that of the gasoline option (including production emissions.) The results of these simulations are congruent with previous research that identified quick break-even for HEVs versus ICEV.

Highlights

This study provides an analysis of both, environmental and total cost of ownership (TCO)estimates for vehicle capabilities identified by user input in a publicly available simulation
The research question in this study addressed the consumer trade-off considerations for purchasing a battery electric vehicles (BEV), a hybrid, or a gasoline-powered car using a publicly available simulation, the first of its type
Re-charged by photovoltaic systems (PVS) and a Plug-in HEV (PHEV) re-charged through the grid

Summary

Introduction

This study provides an analysis of both, environmental and total cost of ownership (TCO)estimates for vehicle capabilities identified by user input in a publicly available simulation (available in Supplementary materials). Located here https://rminator.shinyapps.io/Vehicles/, the simulation was built to address the necessity for publicly-available TCO tools that compare different vehicle types, as well as environmental conditions. The sections highlight the necessity for this analysis, environmental motivations for vehicle purchases, previous TCO analyses of EVs, consumer decision-making regarding EVs, modeling considerations, and this study’s significance, as well as location in the literature. With the volatility of gasoline and electrical prices [1], the purchase of battery electric vehicles (BEV) or hybrid vehicles has become an attractive option to some [2], but understanding the actual total costs of ownership (TCO) associated with such a purchase, as well as environmental concerns requires analysis The metrics “miles per gallon” or “kilometers per liter” are not appropriate for electric vehicles (EVs), which underscores that the consumer understanding of EVs and energy costs is often incomplete [3]. The automobile industry must evaluate and compare the costs and the demand

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion