Carbon emission and cost analysis of vehicle technologies for urban taxis

Abstract

Our study compared vehicle technologies to reduce the carbon emissions of the Hong Kong taxi fleet. An environmental cost-benefit analysis was developed to measure the tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq) potentially abated and the incurred cost over the period 2021–2030 by the substitution of the current fleet with electric vehicles (EVs), fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), and more efficient internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). Our result highlights that FCEVs fueled with hydrogen from renewables and EVs with battery swap stations have lower abatement costs (i.e., cost incurred/carbon saved). The selection of a relatively low-cost option between EVs with battery swap stations and FCEVs with hydrogen from renewables depends on the reduction of electricity carbon intensity versus whether an economic and reliable import of hydrogen from renewables can be secured. Taxi miles traveled affect the vehicle technology abatement cost ranking. Overall, our study provides insight into sustainable urban taxi transition.