The main objective is to compare energy use and CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) emissions due to the full life cycle of different vehicle technologies of internal combustion engine vehicles both gasoline and diesel fuels, hybrid electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, plug-in vehicles and pure electric vehicles. The life cycle includes the material cycle, the fuel cycle and the use cycle. A comparison has also been made between standard and lightweights materials, between three degrees of recycling and between the two types of electricity production in the United States and Europe. It is seen that the material cycle represents only a small share of the energy required by the vehicle's full life cycle. The most penalising item on the material cycle is the battery component for the electric based vehicles. Full hybrid configuration has the lower full life cycle energy consumption. Plug-in vehicles are 20% more energy efficient and emit 30% less CO2 than conventional gasoline vehicles. In term of cost of utilisation plug-ins are 2-3 times cheaper however have a higher production cost due essentially to the battery, so, depending on political incentives, can have eventually smaller penalty cost at the acquisition stage. The less emitting CO2 life cycle belongs to the electric vehicle, due to the high efficiency of its powertrain. Fuel cell hydrogen based vehicles are only competitive with other technologies if hydrogen is produced by a fuel reformer instead of electrolysis. Renewable or nuclear instead of coal based electric grid could invert this conclusion and even increase the interest in pure electric vehicles.
Full life cycle analysis of different vehicle technologies
2008
11 Seiten, 11 Bilder, 7 Tabellen, 9 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
Full life cycle analysis of different vehicle technologies
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