Net Air Emissions from Electric Vehicles: The Effect of Carbon Price and Charging Strategies

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/es102464y

Net Air Emissions from Electric Vehicles: The Effect of Carbon Price and Charging Strategies

Scott B. Peterson*†, J. F. Whitacre†‡, and Jay Apt†§
†Department of Engineering and Public Policy, ‡Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and §Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
Environ. Sci. Technol., Article ASAP
Publication Date (Web): February 10, 2011
Copyright © 2011 American Chemical Society
*Phone: [phone]; E-mail: [e-mail] .

Abstract

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) may become part of the transportation fleet on time scales of a decade or two. We calculate the electric grid load increase and emissions due to vehicle battery charging in PJM and NYISO with the current generation mix, the current mix with a $50/tonne CO₂ price, and this case but with existing coal generators retrofitted with 80% CO₂ capture. We also examine all new generation being natural gas or wind+gas. PHEV fleet percentages between 0.4 and 50% are examined. Vehicles with small (4 kWh) and large (16 kWh) batteries are modeled with driving patterns from the National Household Transportation Survey. Three charging strategies and three scenarios for future electric generation are considered. When compared to 2020 CAFE standards, net CO₂ emissions in New York are reduced by switching from gasoline to electricity; coal-heavy PJM shows somewhat smaller benefits unless coal units are fitted with CCS or replaced with lower CO₂ generation. NO_X is reduced in both RTOs, but there is upward pressure on SO₂ emissions or allowance prices under a cap.

...

Conclusion

There are strong arguments in favor of electrification of the transportation sector in addition to net emissions. Combining numerous mobile emission sources into a far small number of stationary sources offers opportunities for cost-effective emissions reduction that may not otherwise be feasible in the transportation sector, and the location of emissions is likely to be moved farther from densely populated areas. If PHEV cars displace light trucks, SUVs, and vans from the fleet, emissions will be further reduced from the values reported here.

Enacting a CO₂ price of $50/tonne will not be effective at reducing net CO₂ emissions from a PHEV fleet. PHEVs are likely to place upward pressure on SO₂ allowance prices if emission caps bind or to increase emissions if the caps do not bind. PHEVs will probably reduce net CO₂ and NO_X emissions but are unlikely to reduce net SO₂ emissions.

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[Kalun D]

1. Toyota

the Prius will have a PHEV model in 2012, a little closer than decades.

this article is from July 2009 but I just heard last week that Toyota is on time and on track.

http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/05/toyota-will-launch-series-production-phev-prius-in-2012/

I've already seen some of the test vehicles, they belong to local government agencies here in Seattle

they have like a 25 to 30 mile all electric range and then it switches over to hybrid when the batteries get low

several aftermarket companies have already come out with conversion kits with a similar range and setup.

Batteries are lasting longer than was originally estimated in both the Toyota and the Honda hybrids

PHEV seems like a good idea to centralize the polluting part of the energy process.

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. I undertand GM has one today

They call it “Volt.”

[Kennah]

3. Volt-aholics would correct you that it's an EREV

Extended Range Electric Vehicle

Jesus Franklin Christ! Can't we all just get along.

Staving off an assault by Volt-aholics, yes, it's a fucking awesome concept that I truly hope measures up. If they build the promised MPV5 CUV with the Voltec powerplant, I will buy one.

[OKIsItJustMe]

4. Yes, yes, I understand the reasoning for the EREV moniker

GM is trying to say, “This isn’t like the other hybrids you know.”

However (by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug-in_hybrid#Terminology">definition) it’s a PHEV.

[Kennah]

5. You are correct. Sorry if I exploded irrationally.

[wtmusic]

6. Not sure where they get their figure of 80% carbon capture from

but it's unrealistic. There is no technology today which is close to being practical on the scale that would be necessary.

[joshcryer]

7. CCS is a scenario not a prediction.

Scenarios do allow for unreality (see: Jacobson).

[wtmusic]

8. Why bother with scenarios?

Not very useful if we can't be realistic about it.

[joshcryer]

9. Policy scenarios are important, because it helps the people in charge see how to go.

However, the people in charge tend to ignore them. It's the only legitimate way scientists can influence politics.

"If, then" type stuff.