DOI•
Are we set for Electric Cars? Questioning the Environmental Readiness of India
23 Dec 2015-Vol. 22, Iss: 2, pp 21-32
TL;DR: In this article, a Well-to-Wheel Equation (WTE) was used to determine the efficiency of each vehicle type and a country specific analysis for India was performed.
Abstract: Electric Vehicles (EVs) have been proposed as a means to reduce the greenhouse emissions from the transportation sector. Despite the obvious benefits of zero tail pipe emissions, EVs have a wide variety of environmental effects which must be taken into calculation before a verdict can be passed on their effectively. The systems used to generate and run these EVs also play a part in determining the effect that they have on the environment and the market in which they are introduced. Studies, however, show that despite the emissions due to the electricity produced to run the EVs are still less than those due to burning fuel in Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. These studies use a Well-to-Wheel equation to determine the efficiency of each vehicle type. We argue that this method is over optimistic, provides only a general analysis, and is inadequate to answer questions about environmental feasibility for different energy source mixes used in different countries. We perform a country specific analysis for India. Additionally we provide a forecast, according to four hypothetical energy scenarios, as to when it would be environmentally feasible for India to introduce EVs into the market. We find that EVs can be used as a means to reduce greenhouse gasses only after the year 2035 in the energy scenario where carbon prices have begun to strongly effect energy decisions.
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07 Aug 2002
TL;DR: An overview of the present status of electric and hybrid vehicles worldwide and their state of the art, with emphasis on the engineering philosophy and key technologies is provided.
Abstract: In a world where environment protection and energy conservation are growing concerns, the development of electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) has taken on an accelerated pace. The dream of having commercially viable EVs and HEVs is becoming a reality. EVs and HEVs are gradually available in the market. This paper will provide an overview of the present status of electric and hybrid vehicles worldwide and their state of the art, with emphasis on the engineering philosophy and key technologies. The importance of the integration of technologies of automobile, electric motor drive, electronics, energy storage, and controls and also the importance of the integration of society strength from government, industry, research institutions, electric power utilities, and transportation authorities are addressed. The challenge of EV commercialization is discussed.
1,046 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a study of the energy and environmental balances for electric vehicles using batteries or fuel cells, through the methodology of the well to wheel (WTW) analysis, applied to ECE-EUDC driving cycle simulations.
288 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors quantified some of the environmental impacts of the production processes and use phase of electric two-wheelers and compared them to other competing modes, including bicycles, buses, motorcycles and cars.
Abstract: Electric two-wheelers have become a significant mode of transportation in China in the past decade. Though marketed and publicized by some as zero-emission vehicles, little past research has been done to quantify the environmental impacts of electric two-wheelers in China. This paper quantifies some of the environmental impacts of the production processes and use phase of electric two-wheelers and compares them to the environmental impacts of competing modes, including bicycles, buses, motorcycles and cars. The use phase emissions are quantified geographically with significantly higher emissions in coal rich regions, compared to regions relying more on hydropower. The results show that electric two-wheelers emit several times lower pollution per kilometer than motorcycles and cars, have comparable emission rates to buses and higher emission rates than bicycles. Lead is one pollutant on which electric two-wheelers perform poorly, because of their use of lead acid batteries.
228 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an integrated modelling framework is used for delineating and assessing the alternative development pathways having equal cumulative CO2 emissions during the first half of the 21st century, and a comparative analysis of alternative development strategies is presented on multiple indicators such as energy security, air quality, technology stocks and adaptive capacity, and conclusions are drawn.
110 citations
01 Jan 2010
TL;DR: ThoughCO2 emissions from road traffic and especially passenger cars are slightly decreasing in Germany since about 2000, this decrease is still limited and the associated consumption of fossil resources by road traffic not only contributes significantly to climate relevant CO2 emissions, but also faces limited resources and leads to political dependencies.
Abstract: Mobility is an important basis for many economic and private activities and thus a crucial part of our life. In many industrialised countries, the demand for mobility is mostly covered by road traffic. Modern vehicles and a well developed network of roads allow for a high degree of individual mobility. However, this mobility also leads to substantial environmental problems: In Germany, for instance, transport is responsible for over 20% of the energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The majority of these emissions are due to road traffic, which in turn is dominated by passenger transport (see Figure 1). Though CO2 emissions from road traffic and especially passenger cars are slightly decreasing in Germany since about 2000, this decrease is still limited. The associated consumption of fossil resources by road traffic not only contributes significantly to climate relevant CO2 emissions, but also faces limited resources and leads to political dependencies.
102 citations