Electrifying the Road to Net-Zero: Implications of Electric Vehicles and Carbon Emission Coefficient Factors in European Power Systems

Qais Ali, Maria Luisa Di Silvestre, Pio Alessandro Lombardi, Eleonora Riva Sanseverino and Gaetano Zizzo ()
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Qais Ali: Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Maria Luisa Di Silvestre: Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Pio Alessandro Lombardi: Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
Eleonora Riva Sanseverino: Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Gaetano Zizzo: Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 12, 1-22

Abstract: The global trend is shifting towards adopting low-carbon transportation solutions, with electrification emerging as a prominent approach. The effectiveness of this transition in mitigating climate change hinges significantly on the source of electricity used for charging electric vehicles. This study focuses on four European Union countries: Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and Poland, each characterized by varying levels of carbon emissions from their power systems. Assumptions are made for the short-term (10%), medium-term (30%), and long-term (60%) penetration of electric vehicles, aligning with the 2050 net zero emissions targets. The study investigates the impact of these penetration levels on energy demand, exploring scenarios ranging from 100% renewable source-generated electricity to 100% coal-generated electricity for EV charging. Finally, utilizing PSS ® E 35.5 simulation software, the study assesses the implications of the electric vehicles’ load on medium-voltage transmission lines. The findings highlight the substantial influence of electrifying the transport sector on both environmental sustainability and the power system infrastructure, underscoring the critical role of regional energy mixes and the power system carbon emissions coefficient factor. Regions with lower carbon emission coefficient factors witness significant benefits even with a modest transition to electric vehicles, whereas regions with high carbon emission coefficient factors experience minimal impact despite large-scale EV adoption. Additionally, densely populated urban areas may encounter challenges related to transmission line congestion to meet the growing demand for electric vehicle charging.

Keywords: electric vehicles; renewable energy sources; carbon emission coefficient factor; decarbonization; climate change; power transmission lines; PSS ® E (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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