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Electrifying Green Logistics: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles

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  • Ludovica Maria Oliveri

    (Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Diego D’Urso

    (Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Natalia Trapani

    (Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Ferdinando Chiacchio

    (Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95123 Catania, Italy)

Abstract

Green logistics is an approach aimed at reducing the environmental impact of transport, storage, and distribution practices, through low-emission vehicles, optimized routes, clean energy tech in warehouses, and efficient waste management. These solutions can contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals of the European Green Deal. The main research question of this paper is whether an electric vehicle has a lower environmental impact compared to a gasoline vehicle. This study presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) of an electric vehicle using lithium-ion battery technology (BEV) and compares it to an internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV), considering the transportable load within the context of Italy. Through a gate-to-grave approach, both vehicles’ life cycle use and disposal phases were evaluated to identify the hotspots of environmental impact. The LCA methodology allows for an objective comparison and the results show that BEV emits slightly less kgCO 2 eq than ICEVs. The primary contributor to the vehicles’ impact is the dependency of the electric energy primary source from fossil fuels. Therefore, a second analysis was conducted to analyse the benefit of photovoltaic panels to generate the electric energy, showing that it can result in a significant 50% reduction in impact, making the electric vehicle a valid solution for achieving green logistics objectives. However, the questions of electric energy production, management, and distribution together with the supply of raw material and disposal of lithium batteries remain open. This issue raises a concern regarding the BEV in a country like Italy where the lack of recharging points limits the adoption of electric vehicles in green logistics.

Suggested Citation

  • Ludovica Maria Oliveri & Diego D’Urso & Natalia Trapani & Ferdinando Chiacchio, 2023. "Electrifying Green Logistics: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:23:p:7688-:d:1284495
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Keller, Victor & Lyseng, Benjamin & Wade, Cameron & Scholtysik, Sven & Fowler, McKenzie & Donald, James & Palmer-Wilson, Kevin & Robertson, Bryson & Wild, Peter & Rowe, Andrew, 2019. "Electricity system and emission impact of direct and indirect electrification of heavy-duty transportation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 740-751.
    2. Du, Huibin & Chen, Zhenni & Peng, Binbin & Southworth, Frank & Ma, Shoufeng & Wang, Yuan, 2019. "What drives CO2 emissions from the transport sector? A linkage analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 195-204.
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