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Impact of battery weight and charging patterns on the economic and environmental benefits of plug-in hybrid vehicles

Abstract

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) technology is receiving attention as an approach to reducing US dependency on foreign oil and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transportation sector. PHEVs require large batteries for energy storage, which affect vehicle cost, weight, and performance. We construct PHEV simulation models to account for the effects of additional batteries on fuel consumption, cost, and GHG emissions over a range of charging frequencies (distance traveled between charges). We find that when charged frequently, every 20 miles or less, using average US electricity, small-capacity PHEVs are less expensive and release fewer GHGs than hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) or conventional vehicles. For moderate charging intervals of 20-100 miles, PHEVs release fewer GHGs, but HEVs have lower lifetime costs. High fuel prices, low-cost batteries, or high carbon taxes combined with low-carbon electricity generation would make small-capacity PHEVs cost competitive for a wide range of drivers. In contrast, increased battery specific energy or carbon taxes without decarbonization of the electricity grid would have limited impact. Large-capacity PHEVs sized for 40 or more miles of electric-only travel do not offer the lowest lifetime cost in any scenario, although they could minimize GHG emissions for some drivers and provide potential to  More>>
Authors:
Shiau, Ching-Shin Norman; Hauffe, Richard; [1]  Samaras, Constantine; [2]  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 (United States)]; Michalek, Jeremy J; [1]  Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 (United States)]
  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 (United States)
  2. Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 (United States)
Publication Date:
Jul 15, 2009
Product Type:
Journal Article
Resource Relation:
Journal Name: Energy Policy; Journal Volume: 37; Journal Issue: 7; Other Information: Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Subject:
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS; VEHICLES; COST; HYBRID SYSTEMS; CAPACITY; EMISSION; WEIGHT; ELECTRIC BATTERIES; AIR POLLUTION; ENERGY STORAGE; FUEL CONSUMPTION; TAXES; POWER GENERATION; TRANSPORTATION SECTOR; DECARBONIZATION; GREENHOUSE GASES; ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
OSTI ID:
21177602
Country of Origin:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Journal ID: ISSN 0301-4215; ENPYAC; TRN: GB09V1734
Availability:
Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2009.02.040
Submitting Site:
GB
Size:
page(s) 2653-2663
Announcement Date:
Jun 15, 2009

Citation Formats

Shiau, Ching-Shin Norman, Hauffe, Richard, Samaras, Constantine, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 (United States)], Michalek, Jeremy J, and Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 (United States)]. Impact of battery weight and charging patterns on the economic and environmental benefits of plug-in hybrid vehicles. United Kingdom: N. p., 2009. Web. doi:10.1016/J.ENPOL.2009.02.040.
Shiau, Ching-Shin Norman, Hauffe, Richard, Samaras, Constantine, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 (United States)], Michalek, Jeremy J, & Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 (United States)]. Impact of battery weight and charging patterns on the economic and environmental benefits of plug-in hybrid vehicles. United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENPOL.2009.02.040
Shiau, Ching-Shin Norman, Hauffe, Richard, Samaras, Constantine, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 (United States)], Michalek, Jeremy J, and Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 (United States)]. 2009. "Impact of battery weight and charging patterns on the economic and environmental benefits of plug-in hybrid vehicles." United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENPOL.2009.02.040.
@misc{etde_21177602,
title = {Impact of battery weight and charging patterns on the economic and environmental benefits of plug-in hybrid vehicles}
author = {Shiau, Ching-Shin Norman, Hauffe, Richard, Samaras, Constantine, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 (United States)], Michalek, Jeremy J, and Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 (United States)]}
abstractNote = {Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) technology is receiving attention as an approach to reducing US dependency on foreign oil and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transportation sector. PHEVs require large batteries for energy storage, which affect vehicle cost, weight, and performance. We construct PHEV simulation models to account for the effects of additional batteries on fuel consumption, cost, and GHG emissions over a range of charging frequencies (distance traveled between charges). We find that when charged frequently, every 20 miles or less, using average US electricity, small-capacity PHEVs are less expensive and release fewer GHGs than hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) or conventional vehicles. For moderate charging intervals of 20-100 miles, PHEVs release fewer GHGs, but HEVs have lower lifetime costs. High fuel prices, low-cost batteries, or high carbon taxes combined with low-carbon electricity generation would make small-capacity PHEVs cost competitive for a wide range of drivers. In contrast, increased battery specific energy or carbon taxes without decarbonization of the electricity grid would have limited impact. Large-capacity PHEVs sized for 40 or more miles of electric-only travel do not offer the lowest lifetime cost in any scenario, although they could minimize GHG emissions for some drivers and provide potential to shift air pollutant emissions away from population centers. The tradeoffs identified in this analysis can provide a space for vehicle manufacturers, policymakers, and the public to identify optimal decisions for PHEV design, policy and use. Given the alignment of economic, environmental, and national security objectives, policies aimed at putting PHEVs on the road will likely be most effective if they focus on adoption of small-capacity PHEVs by urban drivers who can charge frequently. (author)}
doi = {10.1016/J.ENPOL.2009.02.040}
journal = []
issue = {7}
volume = {37}
place = {United Kingdom}
year = {2009}
month = {Jul}
}