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Title: The impact of electric vehicles on CO{sub 2} emissions. Final report

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10104328· OSTI ID:10104328
; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Little (Arthur D.), Inc., Cambridge, MA (United States)

A number of recent studies have examined the greenhouse gas emissions of various light duty vehicle alternatives in some detail. These studies have highlighted the extreme range of predicted net greenhouse gas emissions depending on scenarios for fuel types, vehicle and power generation efficiencies, the relative greenhouse contributions of emitted gases and a number of uncertainties in fuel chain efficiencies. Despite the potential range of results, most studies have confirmed that electric vehicles generally have significant potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions relative to gasoline and most alternative fuels under consideration. This report summarizes the results of a study which builds on previous efforts with a particular emphasis on: (1) A detailed analysis of ICEV, FCV, and EV vehicle technology and electric power generation technology. Most previous transportation greenhouse studies have focused on characterization of fuel chains that have relatively high efficiency (65--85%) when compared with power generation (30--40%) and vehicle driveline (13--16%) efficiencies. (2) A direct comparison of EVs, FCVs with gasoline and dedicated alternative fuel, ICEVs using equivalent vehicle technology assumptions with careful attention to likely technology improvements in both types of vehicles. (3) Consideration of fuel cell vehicles and associated hydrogen infrastructure. (4) Extension of analyses for several decades to assess the prospects for EVs with a longer term prospective.

Research Organization:
EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Little (Arthur D.), Inc., Cambridge, MA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-76ID01570
OSTI ID:
10104328
Report Number(s):
EGG-EP-10296; ON: DE93003719
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: May 1992
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English