Assessing and Managing the Direct and Indirect Emissions from Electric and Fossil-Powered Vehicles

Abstract

Efforts to improve air quality and concerns about global warming make transportation mediums that do not produce emissions more attractive to end users. Meanwhile, some of these transportation mediums are powered by an electricity grid that generates a great deal of emissions. This study compared the greenhouse gas GHG emissions for both electric and fossil-powered vehicles using estimates of tailpipe emissions of fossil-powered vehicles and the indirect emissions from the electricity grid. Furthermore, a system dynamic model was developed for a more holistic review of the GHG emissions for both electric and fossil-powered vehicles. The result indicated that in terms of associated emissions from the grid, electric-powered vehicles are not always better than fossil-powered vehicles when the electricity is not from a renewable source. The GHG emissions for electric-powered vehicles are dependent on both the electricity usage rate of the vehicle and the GHG emissions that are associated with the production of that amount of electricity. Further opportunities exist in renewable and clean energy technologies for various operations. Based on reports from previous works, this report also presented potential strategies to achieve a significant reduction in GHG emissions for both the electricity grid and fossil fuel refining processes.

A framework for evaluation of improvement opportunities for environmental impacts on construction works using life cycle assessment and value stream mapping concepts: offsite and onsite building construction

“…An operator on the site has a daily commute of 90 kilometers. A scholar [61] used this to evaluate potential impacts with different sources of energy if the operator comes to the site for 10 days. An example of a mitigation opportunity for significant worker travel is to explore temporary accommodation that is close to the site instead of long-distance travel every day.…”

“…Among other emission mitigation opportunities reported, 'emission-free alternatives' mentioned by some scholars [38] include battery or hydrogen-powered construction equipment, and the use of zero-emission vehicles for roundtrip transportation of equipment, manpower, materials, and wastes from the construction site. Another scholar reported that although no tailpipe emission is seen from electric vehicles, apart from nonexhaust emission sources, (such as tire and road wear, brake wear, road dust resuspension, and clutch wear [67]), there are associated indirect GHG emissions that need to be considered when the electricity that is used to power a vehicle is from a GHGemitting electricity grid [61]. Rather than releasing gaseous emissions from industrial plants into the atmosphere, the study [61] also presented a figurative illustration of a framework to capture and ensure local treatment of emissions from industrial plants.…”

“…Another scholar reported that although no tailpipe emission is seen from electric vehicles, apart from nonexhaust emission sources, (such as tire and road wear, brake wear, road dust resuspension, and clutch wear [67]), there are associated indirect GHG emissions that need to be considered when the electricity that is used to power a vehicle is from a GHGemitting electricity grid [61]. Rather than releasing gaseous emissions from industrial plants into the atmosphere, the study [61] also presented a figurative illustration of a framework to capture and ensure local treatment of emissions from industrial plants.…”

Rule-Based Operation Mode Control Strategy for the Energy Management of a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

“…However, it is already known that fossil fuels are an unsustainable source and negatively affect the environment due to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In fact, the transport sector represents the 16.2% of all GHGs, of which road transport alone is 11.9% out of the 16.2% [4].…”

Grid-Vehicle-Grid (G2V2G) Efficient Power Transmission: An Overview of Concept, Operations, Benefits, Concerns, and Future Challenges

“…Ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) are any vehicles with low-carbon technologies emitting less than 75 g of CO 2 /km from the exhaust. The ULEVs combine ranges from pure and fuel cell EVs (FCEV) to PHEVs and extended-range EVs [29]. The maximum ULEVs on the road use substitute fuels such as hydrogen and electricity to run an EV, where batteries are commonly used as an ESS.…”