IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/retrec/v52y2015icp65-71.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The economics of the transition to fuel cell vehicles with natural gas, hybrid-electric vehicles as the bridge

Author

Listed:
  • Burke, Andrew
  • Zhu, Lin

Abstract

Detailed comparisons are made between various types of light-duty vehicles fueled with natural gas and hydrogen. Natural gas vehicles are designed as charge sustaining hybrid vehicles (HEV) and hydrogen fueled vehicles (FCV) are powered by a fuel cell. All the vehicles have a range of 400 miles between refueling stops. This paper is concerned primarily with the near-term time period in which the fuel cell technology is maturing and the hydrogen infrastructure is being constructed both with respect to refueling stations and the source of the hydrogen being distributed. Detailed computer simulations are presented for vehicle classes from compact cars to mid-size SUVs. Energy (MJ) and volume (L) of fuel storage required to meet the 400 mile range target for each vehicle using natural gas and hydrogen are compared. Costs of the vehicles simulated are projected for 2015–2030. Cost results indicate that the costs of ownership of the natural gas HEVs and the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles become close in the 2025–2030 time period. CO2 emissions from natural gas fueled hybrid and fuel cell vehicles are calculated and compared for hydrogen and electricity from natural gas. Ways in which the introduction of the natural gas fueled vehicles could be a bridge to the mass marketing of fuel cell vehicles are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Burke, Andrew & Zhu, Lin, 2015. "The economics of the transition to fuel cell vehicles with natural gas, hybrid-electric vehicles as the bridge," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 65-71.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:retrec:v:52:y:2015:i:c:p:65-71
    DOI: 10.1016/j.retrec.2015.10.005
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0739885915000499
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.retrec.2015.10.005?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jenn, Alan & Azevedo, Inês L. & Ferreira, Pedro, 2013. "The impact of federal incentives on the adoption of hybrid electric vehicles in the United States," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 936-942.
    2. Burke, Andy & Miller, Marshall, 2009. "Electrochemical Capacitors as Energy Storage in Hybrid-Electric Vehicles: Present Status and Future Prospects," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt7r75s6mx, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    3. Burke, Andrew & Zhao, Hengbing & Van Gelder, Eric, 2009. "Simulated Performance of Alternative Hybrid-Electric Powertrains in Vehicles on Various Driving Cycles," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt7nt461g1, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    4. Burke, Andy, 2009. "Ultracapacitor Technologies and Application in Hybrid and Electric Vehicles," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt9p18x8s8, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    5. Zhao, Hengbing & Burke, Andy, 2009. "Optimum Performance of Direct Hydrogen Hybrid Fuel Cell Vehicles," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt5x31w1vd, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Liu, Hu-Chen & You, Xiao-Yue & Xue, Yi-Xi & Luan, Xue, 2017. "Exploring critical factors influencing the diffusion of electric vehicles in China: A multi-stakeholder perspective," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 46-58.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Burke, Andy & Zhao, Hengbing, 2010. "Simulations of Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles Using Advanced Lithium Batteries and Ultracapacitors on Various Driving Cycles," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt4wb3g744, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    2. Burke, Andrew & Zhao, Hengbing, 2012. "Energy Saving and Cost Projections for Advanced Hybrid, Battery Electric, and Fuel Cell Vehicles in 2015-2030," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt80v1z6rd, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    3. Burke, Andrew & Miller, Marshall & Zhao, Hengbing, 2014. "Ultracapacitors in the Place of Batteries in Hybrid Vehicles," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt08c8b94t, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    4. Burke, Andrew & Miller, Marshall & Zhao, Hengbing, 2012. "Ultracapacitors in Hybrid Vehicle Applications: Testing of New High Power Devices and Prospects for Increased Energy Density," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt0mb8s9p7, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    5. Bhardwaj, Chandan & Axsen, Jonn & Kern, Florian & McCollum, David, 2020. "Why have multiple climate policies for light-duty vehicles? Policy mix rationales, interactions and research gaps," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 309-326.
    6. Cailou Jiang & Ying Zhang & Maoliang Bu & Weishu Liu, 2018. "The Effectiveness of Government Subsidies on Manufacturing Innovation: Evidence from the New Energy Vehicle Industry in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-11, May.
    7. Kim, Junghun & Seung, Hyunchan & Lee, Jongsu & Ahn, Joongha, 2020. "Asymmetric preference and loss aversion for electric vehicles: The reference-dependent choice model capturing different preference directions," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    8. Zhang, Tong & Burke, Paul J. & Wang, Qi, 2024. "Effectiveness of electric vehicle subsidies in China: A three-dimensional panel study," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    9. Xingping Zhang & Jian Xie & Rao Rao & Yanni Liang, 2014. "Policy Incentives for the Adoption of Electric Vehicles across Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(11), pages 1-23, November.
    10. Ziying Yang & Manping Tang, 2019. "Welfare Analysis of Government Subsidy Programs for Fuel-Efficient Vehicles and New Energy Vehicles in China," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 74(2), pages 911-937, October.
    11. Azarafshar, Roshanak & Vermeulen, Wessel N., 2020. "Electric vehicle incentive policies in Canadian provinces," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    12. Dumortier, Jerome & Siddiki, Saba & Carley, Sanya & Cisney, Joshua & Krause, Rachel & Lane, Bradley & Rupp, John & Graham, John, 2015. "Effects of Life Cycle Cost Information Disclosure on the Purchase Decision of Hybrid and Plug-In Vehicles," IU SPEA AgEcon Papers 198643, Indiana University, IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
    13. Cheng He & O. Cem Ozturk & Chris Gu & Jorge Mario Silva-Risso, 2021. "The End of the Express Road for Hybrid Vehicles: Can Governments’ Green Product Incentives Backfire?," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 40(1), pages 80-100, January.
    14. Xuefang Li & Chenhui Liu & Jianmin Jia, 2019. "Ownership and Usage Analysis of Alternative Fuel Vehicles in the United States with the 2017 National Household Travel Survey Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-16, April.
    15. Ferraro, Aniello & Cerciello, Massimiliano & Agovino, Massimiliano & Garofalo, Antonio, 2021. "Do public policies reduce social exclusion? The role of national and supranational economic tools," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 165-181.
    16. Canepa, Kathryn & Hardman, Scott & Tal, Gil, 2019. "An early look at plug-in electric vehicle adoption in disadvantaged communities in California," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 19-30.
    17. Stella Karagianni & Maria Pempetzoglou & Anastasios Saraidaris, 2019. "Government Expenditures and Economic Growth: a Nonlinear Causality Investigation for the UK," European Journal of Marketing and Economics Articles, Revistia Research and Publishing, vol. 2, ejme_v2_i.
    18. Wang, Ning & Pan, Huizhong & Zheng, Wenhui, 2017. "Assessment of the incentives on electric vehicle promotion in China," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 177-189.
    19. Hangtian Xu & Fuqiang Yang & Wenzhuo Zheng, 2024. "The effectiveness of government incentives for outward investment: The case of China's Belt and Road Initiative," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 42(3), pages 498-523, July.
    20. Burke, Andrew & Zhao, Hengbing & Van Gelder, Eric, 2009. "Simulated Performance of Alternative Hybrid-Electric Powertrains in Vehicles on Various Driving Cycles," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt7nt461g1, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Natural gas; Hydrogen; Hybrids; Fuel cells; Costs; Markets; Transitions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q2 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation
    • Q3 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation
    • Q4 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:retrec:v:52:y:2015:i:c:p:65-71. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/620614/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.