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Comparative Life Cycle Energy and GHG Emission Analysis for BEVs and PhEVs: A Case Study in China

Author

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  • Siqin Xiong

    (School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
    College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China)

  • Junping Ji

    (School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
    College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
    Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, One Cyclotron Road, MS90R2121, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

  • Xiaoming Ma

    (School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
    College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China)

Abstract

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are seen as the most promising alternatives to internal combustion vehicles, as a means to reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector. To provide the basis for preferable decisions among these vehicle technologies, an environmental benefit evaluation should be conducted. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) are two most often applied batteries to power these vehicles. Given this context, this study aims to compare life cycle energy consumption and GHG emissions of BEVs and PHEVs, both of which are powered by LFP and NMC batteries. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses are conducted, concerning electricity generation mix, lifetime mileage, utility factor, and battery recycling. BEVs are found to be less emission-intensive than PHEVs given the existing and near-future electricity generation mix in China, and the energy consumption and GHG emissions of a BEV are about 3.04% (NMC) to 9.57% (LFP) and 15.95% (NMC) to 26.32% (LFP) lower, respectively, than those of a PHEV.

Suggested Citation

  • Siqin Xiong & Junping Ji & Xiaoming Ma, 2019. "Comparative Life Cycle Energy and GHG Emission Analysis for BEVs and PhEVs: A Case Study in China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:5:p:834-:d:210565
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Zongfei Wang & Patrick Jochem & Hasan Ümitcan Yilmaz & Lei Xu, 2022. "Integrating vehicle‐to‐grid technology into energy system models: Novel methods and their impact on greenhouse gas emissions," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(2), pages 392-405, April.
    5. Picatoste, Aitor & Justel, Daniel & Mendoza, Joan Manuel F., 2022. "Circularity and life cycle environmental impact assessment of batteries for electric vehicles: Industrial challenges, best practices and research guidelines," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    6. Emad Kazemzadeh & Matheus Koengkan & José Alberto Fuinhas, 2022. "Effect of Battery-Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles on PM2.5 Emissions in 29 European Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-22, February.
    7. Xiong, Siqin & Wang, Yunshi & Bai, Bo & Ma, Xiaoming, 2021. "A hybrid life cycle assessment of the large-scale application of electric vehicles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    8. Küfeoğlu, Sinan & Khah Kok Hong, Dennis, 2020. "Emissions performance of electric vehicles: A case study from the United Kingdom," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    9. George Barjoveanu & Florenta Dinita & Carmen Teodosiu, 2022. "Aging Passenger Car Fleet Structure, Dynamics, and Environmental Performance Evaluation at the Regional Level by Life Cycle Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-18, July.
    10. István Árpád & Judit T. Kiss & Gábor Bellér & Dénes Kocsis, 2021. "Sustainability Investigation of Vehicles’ CO 2 Emission in Hungary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-15, July.
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    12. Wai-Ming To & Peter K. C. Lee & Antonio K. W. Lau, 2021. "Economic and Environmental Changes in Shenzhen—A Technology Hub in Southern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-17, May.
    13. José Alberto Fuinhas & Matheus Koengkan & Nuno Carlos Leitão & Chinazaekpere Nwani & Gizem Uzuner & Fatemeh Dehdar & Stefania Relva & Drielli Peyerl, 2021. "Effect of Battery Electric Vehicles on Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 29 European Union Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-26, December.
    14. Lawrence Fulton, 2020. "A Publicly Available Simulation of Battery Electric, Hybrid Electric, and Gas-Powered Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-15, May.
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