Abstract
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are seen as the most promising alternatives to internal combustion vehicles, as a means to reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector. To provide the basis for preferable decisions among these vehicle technologies, an environmental benefit evaluation should be conducted. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) are two most often applied batteries to power these vehicles. Given this context, this study aims to compare life cycle energy consumption and GHG emissions of BEVs and PHEVs, both of which are powered by LFP and NMC batteries. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses are conducted, concerning electricity generation mix, lifetime mileage, utility factor, and battery recycling. BEVs are found to be less emission-intensive than PHEVs given the existing and near-future electricity generation mix in China, and the energy consumption and GHG emissions of a BEV are about 3.04% (NMC) to 9.57% (LFP) and 15.95% (NMC) to 26.32% (LFP) lower, respectively, than those of a PHEV.
Highlights
China is the world’s largest vehicle producer and sales market
The energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the fuel cycle are found to be primarily affected by the energy conversion efficiency, carbon intensity of fuels and the fuel efficiency of vehicles
The electricity used to power BEVs comes from a more energy and emission intensive source than gasoline in China
Summary
China is the world’s largest vehicle producer and sales market. The rapid growth of car ownership in recent years has raised grave concerns about national energy security, traffic safety, and climate change. 65 percent by the end of 2017 [1]. The transport sector contributes to a significant share of the country’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Chinese government has regarded electric vehicles (EVs) as the alternative to internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) to diminish GHG emissions and to alleviate the dependence on gasoline. Since 2015, China has already become the largest EV market globally and the accumulated number of EVs exceeded 1 million at the end of 2017. In the energy saving and new energy automotive industry development plan
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