1
Return

Life cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from plug-in hybrid vehicles: Implications for policy

delete2008-04-05
delete577
PRE
AI
C
Constantine Samaras *
K
Kyle Meisterling
DOI:10.1021/es702178sdelete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which use electricity from the grid to power a portion of travel, could play a role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transport sector. However, meaningful GHG emissions reductions with PHEVs are conditional on low-carbon electricity sources. We assess life cycle GHG emissions from PHEVs and find that they reduce GHG emissions by 32% compared to conventional vehicles, but have small reductions compared to traditional hybrids. Batteries are an important component of PHEVs, and GHGs associated with lithium-ion battery materials and production account for 2-5% of life cycle emissions from PHEVs. We consider cellulosic ethanol use and various carbon intensities of electricity. The reduced liquid fuel requirements of PHEVs could leverage limited cellulosic ethanol resources. Electricity generation infrastructure is long-lived, and technology decisions within the next decade about electricity supplies in the power sector will affect the potential for large GHG emissions reductions with PHEVs for several decades.
Keywords:
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
CELLULOSIC ETHANOL
ENERGY
PERFORMANCE
BATTERIES
BIOMASS
COAL
AI Summary

AI Summary

Key information extracted from the uploaded paper, including a brief overview, abstract, background, key highlights, visual analysis, and future outlook.

Journal

E
Environmental Science and Technology
IF:
11.3
Papers:
4.3W
Citations:
26.0W

Organization

C
Carnegie Mellon University
Scholars:
1.4W
Papers: 1.4W
Citations: 2.7W
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers