Impacts of alternative vehicle fuel policies on Canadian energy demand and emissions

Abstract

Laboratory studies have provided evidences regarding the impacts of engine technology on vehicle emissions; however, questions remain regarding the relations between alternative vehicle fuels and on-road vehicle emissions as well as energy demands from upstream fuel production processes to end-use across spatial and temporal dimensions. This study attempted to apply a system simulation model for investigating investigate the impact of alternative vehicle fuel policies, on the energy demand and GHG emissions in transport sector level and national level through the introduction of higher fuel efficiency engines for on-road vehicles. The model with a calibration period from 1976 to 2005 simulates the future change by 2050. The results indicate that the introduction of new engines with alternative energy will substantially reduce energy demand and GHG emissions from road transport sector, but it might result in different impacts on national total energy demand and GHG emissions. Using a non-fossil energy source to generate hydrogen may significantly reduce national total energy demand and GHG emissions; while conventional fossil energy sources may raise total national energy demand with a limited reduction of national total GHG emissions on comparison with hybrid engine scenario.