Life cycle GHG emissions and lifetime costs of medium-duty diesel and battery electric trucks in Toronto, Canada

Abstract

Battery-electric trucks (BET) are an alternative to diesel trucks and have the potential for lower life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and total lifetime costs (TCO). This study compares a Class 6 medium-duty BET with a Class 6 medium-duty diesel truck. Vehicle fuel consumption is simulated for Toronto driving conditions, based on different drive cycles, operating temperatures and payloads. The base case results show the BET has lower life cycle GHG emissions and higher lifetime TCO than the diesel truck, but this does not hold across all conditions. GHG emissions of the BET are higher than those of the diesel truck under 100% payload in driving conditions with infrequent stops, while the results are less sensitive to operating temperature. The lifetime cost of the BET can be lower than that of the diesel truck in situations that have driving with frequent stops/starts and with low payloads and low battery and charging station costs. These variables also affect estimated GHG abatement costs, which are highly relevant as carbon pricing is being introduced in the province.