Connected Autonomous Electric Vehicles as Enablers for Low-Carbon Future

Transportation is the main cause of various harmful gases being released into the atmosphere. Due to dependency on fossil fuels, conventional internal-combustion engine vehicles cause major impacts on air pollution and climate change. Achieving greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets requires electrification of transportation at the larger scale. Zero-emission vehicles are developing rapidly with consequences for energy use and GHG emissions, and their penetration is rising throughout the world. Such vehicles are widely considered as a promising solution for GHG reduction and a key to low-carbon mobility future. Recent trend in transportation system is a rapid shift toward connected autonomous vehicles. Connected autonomous electric vehicle (CAEV) will play a vital role in emerging revolution in sustainable low-carbon mobility. They can result in major reductions in GHG emissions and be at the forefront of rapid transformation in transportation. CAEVs have great potential to operate with higher vehicle efficiency, if they are charged using renewable energy sources that will significantly reduce emissions and dependency on fossil fuels. This book chapter is intended not only to provide understanding of potential environmental implications of CAEV technologies by reviewing the existing studies and research works but also to discuss environmental impacts including GHG emissions and improvement of vehicle efficiency.