Comparative economic and environmental benefits of ownership of both new and used light duty hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Japan

Abstract

We present a novel study of the differential total costs of ownership and marginal cost of life cycle emissions abatement for owners of both new and used light duty fuel cell and internal combustion engine vehicles in Japan. We find the emergence of used FCVs in the fleet significantly improves the economic and emissions savings over ICEVs. The cumulative life cycle GHG emissions reductions rapidly increase when FCVs exceed 55%–70% of total LDVs. Life cycle emissions in the vehicle fleet increase 40% if hydrogen is produced from SMR with CCS rather than from solar or wind based electrolysis. Fuel cell cost and electrolyser efficiency are key factors in achieving benefits. Finally, if the early time growth of FCVs to 2030 can be maintained near 50% the government 2050 emissions reduction target of 80% reduction from a 2013 base can be achieved.