Abstract
This paper presents a model to evaluate the life cycle greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, expressed in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq), of a generic fleet composition as a function of the traffic simulation results. First we evaluated the complete life cycle of each category of the vehicles currently circulating; next, by defining a general linear equation, the traffic environmental performances of a real road network (city of Rome) were evaluated using a traffic simulation approach. Finally, the proposed methodology was applied to evaluate the GHG emission of a 100% penetration of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and various electric and conventional vehicles composition scenarios. In terms of life cycle impacts, BEVs are the vehicles with the highest GHG emissions at the vehicle level (construction + maintenance + end-of-life processes) that are, on average, 20% higher than internal combustion engine vehicles, and 6.5% higher than hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Nevertheless, a 100% BEVs penetration scenario generates a reduction of the environmental impact at the mobility system level of about 65%.
Highlights
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), collectively called Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), have recently been offered as a mass-market alternative to conventional cars with petrol and diesel engines (i.e., Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles (ICEVs) [1]
In terms of life cycle impacts, BEVs are the vehicles with the highest greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions at the vehicle level that are, on average, 20% higher than internal combustion engine vehicles, and 6.5% higher than hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)
This study demonstrated the importance of an integrated approach to evaluate life cycle GHG emisAsiosnesxaptecthteed,urtbhaen mmoorbeilitthyelecvirecl.ulTahtiengresflueletst firsomcomboptohseLdCAof aEnVd st,ratfhfiec msimoruelathioen GwHerGe ecmomisbsinoneds diencroeradser. to evaluate the full life cycle implications at the mobility system level
Summary
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), collectively called Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), have recently been offered as a mass-market alternative to conventional cars with petrol and diesel engines (i.e., Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles (ICEVs) [1] They have been introduced as a solution to the problem of dependency on fossil fuels, increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and other environmental issues [2]. Using a Monte Carlo method to simulate EVs use-phase under a wide range of driving conditions, Canals Casals et al (2016) [6] calculated the GHG emission associated with EVs and ICEVs for the EVs’ top-selling European countries They found that only France (76% nuclear power energy ratio) and Norway (94% hydropower) ensures global warming potential (GWP) reductions for the whole EVs energy consumption range. The disposal phase was found to have a minor influence on the total environmental burdens [22], even if different recycling technologies for the end-of-life of the vehicle could significantly differ in terms of impact [23]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
