Environmental Implications of the National Power Roadmap with Policy Directives for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

Solhee Kim,Rylie E O Pelton,Timothy M Smith,Jeongbae Jeon,Kyo Suh,Jimin Lee

doi:10.3390/su11236657

Solhee Kim, Rylie E O Pelton + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su11236657

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: Nov 25, 2019
Citations: 11	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Minnesota, Seoul National University

Abstract

The environmental impact of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) largely depends on the environmental profile of the national electric power grid that enables their operation. The purpose of this study is to analyze the environmental performance of BEV usage in Korea considering the changes and trajectory of the national power roadmap. We examined the environmental performance using a weighted environmental index, considering eight impact categories. The results showed that the weighted environmental impact of Korea’s national power grid supply would increase overall by 66% from 2015 to 2029 using the plan laid out by the 7th Power Roadmap, and by only 33% from 2017 to 2031 using the 8th Power Roadmap plan. This change reflects the substantial amount of renewables in the more recent power mix plan. In 2016, BEV usage in Korea resulted in emissions reductions of about 37% compared with diesel passenger vehicles, and 41% compared with gasoline vehicles per kilometer driven (100 g CO2e/km versus 158 g and 170 g CO2e/km, respectively) related to transportation sector. By 2030, BEV usage in Korea is expected to achieve a greater emissions reduction of about 53% compared with diesel vehicles and 56% compared with gasoline vehicles. However, trade-offs are also expected because of increased particulate matter (PM) pollution, which we anticipate to increase by 84% compared with 2016 conditions. Despite these projected increases in PM emissions, increased BEV usage in Korea is expected to result in important global and local benefits through reductions of climate-changing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Highlights

Widespread concern about climate change has prompted policymakers to create eco-friendly transportation policies to increase the number of electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) generation in many countries [1,2]
The goal of this study is to evaluate the environmental implications of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) adoption in Korea, across eight environmental impact categories, considering the current power mix and future power mixes planned in the National Power Roadmap, BEV passenger vehicle market share, and associated fuel efficiency
Many people believe that BEVs are inherently better for the environment compared to internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV), the environmental performance of BEVs mostly depends on the share of renewable sources for the national power mix

Summary

Introduction

Widespread concern about climate change has prompted policymakers to create eco-friendly transportation policies to increase the number of electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) generation in many countries [1,2]. In 2015, the number of EVs around the world reached 1.26 million cars, which was a 79% increase from 2014. It is expected that sales of EVs will continue to soar between 2025 and 2030, constituting 54% of new light-duty car sales and accounting for 33% of the global market share by 2040 [5]. Upadhyay and Wilson [8] argued that if EVs account for 33% of cars globally, it will have the effect of replacing about 8 million barrels of fuel per day in 2040. Increased usage of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) will likely result in rapid increases in electricity demand for BEVs from 6 TWh in 2016 to 1800 TWh by 2040, based on expected usage of BEVs in 2040 [5]

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