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Assessing greenhouse gas emissions and costs of Brazilian light-duty vehicles

Author

Listed:
  • Branco, José Eduardo Holler
  • da Rocha, Fernando Vinícius
  • Péra, Thiago Guilherme
  • de Bastiani, Fernando Pauli
  • Bartholomeu, Daniela Bacchi
  • Costa, Everton Lima
  • Grilo Junior, Isaias

Abstract

With the growing concern on climate change, many governments are making efforts to substitute fossil-fuel passenger vehicles in order to meet the urgent need for low-carbon and renewable fuels. Electric and hybrid vehicles reflect the increasing interest in clean and energy-efficient options. Nevertheless, the large-scale adoption of full electric is challenged in some regions due to the higher cost of these vehicles. This research presents a framework to assess the total cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in three types of technologies currently present in Brazil: fully electric, hybrid, and combustion flex-fuel cars. Brazil's light-duty fleet is a compelling case because it is mainly composed of flex-fuel engine combustion cars. The country also has strong conditions to supply this fleet with ethanol at a large scale with competitive prices. According to our results, full electric can reduce GHG emissions by 85 % if compared to gasoline-powered combustion. Nevertheless, there is a 96 % higher cost per kilometer in comparison to flex-fuel combustion vehicles. Flex-fuel hybrid fueled with ethanol can reduce GHG emissions by 76 %. Combustion flex-fuel vehicles can reduce 59 % of GHG emissions with no additional cost when powered by ethanol. Our findings show that hybrid cars fueled with ethanol are a more cost-viable option for reducing the Brazilian light vehicle fleet carbon footprint in a short time. The methodological approach presented in this study can be replicated in other regions to analyze trade-offs between costs and GHG emissions, thus helping plan the most appropriate path for the light-duty fleet energy transition.

Suggested Citation

  • Branco, José Eduardo Holler & da Rocha, Fernando Vinícius & Péra, Thiago Guilherme & de Bastiani, Fernando Pauli & Bartholomeu, Daniela Bacchi & Costa, Everton Lima & Grilo Junior, Isaias, 2024. "Assessing greenhouse gas emissions and costs of Brazilian light-duty vehicles," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:206:y:2024:i:c:s1364032124005719
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2024.114845
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    References listed on IDEAS

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