Accurate energy consumption for comparison of climate change impact of thermal and electric vehicles

A. Desreveaux, A. Bouscayrol, R. Trigui, E. Hittinger, E. Castex and G.M. Sirbu

Energy, 2023, vol. 268, issue C

Abstract: Performing a climate impact assessment of vehicles is essential for comparing different powertrain options during an entire vehicle life. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is used to estimate these effects over a vehicle's lifecycle, including manufacturing, usage, and end-of-life phases. LCA comprises several indicators, such as the Global Warming Potential (GWP). Generally, LCA or GWP studies use manufacturer-reported standard cycle data to estimate the energy consumption of vehicles. In this article, we develop diesel, gasoline, and electric vehicle simulation tools using the Energetic Macroscopic Representation formalism to evaluate that practice. These simulations are validated with actual, measured driving cycles. The simulations are then used to compare the calculated GWP from real, measured driving cycles relative to standard driving cycles used as industry benchmarks. The results show that standard driving cycles consistently underestimate the benefit of switching from fossil fueled vehicles to electric vehicles. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of the battery life duration is included in this work. It shows that the replacement or second life of batteries is also a key parameter in the GWP advantages of electric vehicles.

Keywords: Electric vehicle; Conventional vehicle; Life cycle assessment; Global warming potential; Vehicle simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:268:y:2023:i:c:s0360544223000312

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.126637

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