Assessment of gasoline consumption and greenhouse gas emission reduction on using battery electric two-wheeler in India

Abstract

A transformation from conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to battery electric (BE) vehicles coupled with a low carbon electricity grid is considered to be effective in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions especially carbon dioxide (CO2) and a resulting drop in the oil demand. This study investigates the possible savings in the gasoline consumption and reduction in CO2 emission in India from the battery electric two-wheeler segment during the fiscal year 2021–2030. The CO2 emissions are estimated based on emission coefficients, average fuel consumption and the annual mileage of two-wheelers. In India, more than 70% of the total registered motor vehicles belong to the category of a two-wheeler. Hence, any policy actions intended at the reduction in CO2 emission and gasoline consumption from the transportation sector must focus on the two-wheeler segment. Older two-wheeler has higher gasoline consumption due to lower fuel economy which leads to larger CO2 emission. The study reveals that with 100% replacement of newly registered ICE two-wheelers with BE two-wheelers, a total savings of 322.50 billion litres of gasoline and a reduction of 571.49 million tonnes of CO2 emissions can be achieved during the period 2021–2030. With strict implementation of a scrapping policy whereby all ICE two-wheelers completing 15 years of service are taken off the road, the gasoline savings and reduction in CO2 emissions can be enhanced to 403.23 billion litres and 811.27 million tonnes, respectively, during the same period. The enhanced use of non-fossil fuel-based sources for electricity generation will lead to a further reduction in CO2 emission, as the energy required for the propulsion of BE two-wheeler is sourced from the grid.