Environmental emission analysis of frugal electric vehicles from a life cycle perspective: A case study

Dingsong Cui, Haibo Chen, David Watling, Ye Liu, Jin Liu, Chenxi Wang, Mengyuan Xu, Shuo Wang, Zhenpo Wang and Chengcheng Xu

Energy, 2025, vol. 335, issue C

Abstract: Frugal electric vehicles (EV) are designed for lower energy consumption with lower battery capacity, but their life-cycle emissions have been overlooked in previous studies. Herein, this paper collects 2.38 million light-duty EV operational data to analyse usage patterns based on energy consumption, daily mileage and annual utilisation. By integrating 12 recognised usage patterns with 6 electricity mixes, the study assesses the emission reduction potential and trade-off period of frugal EVs compared to counterpart internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). The results show that about 70 % of frugal EV users would like to take a short daily travel with high utilisation rate and low energy consumption. From macro perspectives, CO2 and VOC emissions reductions are significant, while NOx, SOx, and PM are not achieved significant reductions. In terms of micro usage patterns, low-utilisation and low-daily travel result in less emission reduction opportunities. In general, about 79 % of frugal EVs can achieve the CO2 emission reduction compared to frugal ICEVs based on 12-year longevity simulation. 30 % and 30.3 % of frugal EVs can achieve PM2.5 and NOx emissions reductions in high clean electricity regions. In summary, this study provides insights for policymakers and manufacturers aiming to enhance the sustainability of frugal EVs.

Keywords: Frugal electric vehicles; Life cycle assessment; Usage patterns; Electricity mix; Environmental benefits (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:335:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225034656

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.137823

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