Finding the best approach for the transportation sector to synergistically reduce CO2 and air pollutants emissions

Abstract

The transportation sector has a significant impact on the synergistic reduction of CO2 and pollutants. Using a structural path decomposition, we reveals the direct and embodied CO2 and NOx emissions from the transportation sector triggered by key supply chain pathways. Meanwhile, the emission abatement potential and economic costs of 33 vehicle specific abatement technology options are analyzed based on the input-output analysis for life cycle assessment. The results show that most of the vehicle technology options can reduce CO2 and NOx emissions while saving economic costs. Among these technologies, both the pure electric technology for passenger cars and the parallel hybrid technology for heavy-duty trucks have high abatement potential. Compared to costly pure electrification technologies for passenger cars, parallel hybrid technologies for heavy-duty trucks offer the highest economic benefits as well as a better driving mileage. Therefore, hybrid heavy-duty trucks will be a more comprehensive solution in the near future.