How the uptake of electric vehicles in China leads to emissions transfer: An Analysis from the perspective of inter-provincial electricity trading

Abstract

The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) has created an unprecedented demand for electricity, and the generation of the electricity required to meet this demand leads, in turn, to large emissions. Interregional electricity trading is a general way of solving the imbalance between regional electricity generation and consumption, and it has profoundly affected the emission patterns of EVs. This study used a Quasi-Input-Output model to analyze the transferred emissions caused by the electricity consumption of EVs in China, the world's largest EV market, from the perspective of inter-provincial electricity trading. The results showed that the amount of transferred GHG, SO2 and NOx emissions caused by EV promotion in 18 selected provinces in 2017 were 1,979.6 kt, 1093.71 t and 1007.68 t, respectively. The main pathways were emissions transferred from the developed east of China to the less developed midwest. Apart from direct emissions transfers between provinces with electricity trade relationships, EVs can produce indirect emissions transfers due to the connectivity of the national electricity network; this part accounts for less than 10% of the total transferred emissions in most provinces. In addition, transferred emissions are an important component of the total emissions of the EV driving stage. From a whole-country perspective, the results of a cost–benefit analysis showed that interregional electricity trading is conducive to improving the national environmental benefits of EV promotion. This study provides an empirical basis for understanding the embodied emissions due to the uptake of EVs, thereby providing implications for promoting the collaborative development of EVs and facilitating comprehensive management of regional emissions transfers.