Analysis and Evaluation of the Electric Vehicles Carbon Footprint: Application to Environmental Urban Areas

Abstract

This paper analyzes and evaluates the carbon footprint of electric vehicles, Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV), and Electric Vehicle (EV). A complete survey of the transformation process of fossil fuels like petrol, gas, or carbon into electricity for the batteries of electric vehicles represents the goal of this work, following the well-known methodology “from well to wheel”. A comparative analysis of urban cars powered by internal combustion engines (ICE) and electric vehicles leads to determining the global emission level of every vehicle for specific urban routes. This paper provides a complete panorama of the carbon footprint, considering all the steps involved in vehicle powering. The analysis covers the different driving patterns applied to standard daily routes. As a result of the analysis, practical recommendations addressed to minimize Green House Gas Emissions (GHG emissions) in urban areas and to improve the air quality in the city environment. The methodological process uses a simulation based on specifically developed algorithms for the study. The simulation runs on urban and general scenarios, considering the GHG emissions due to only urban transportation and the global situation where GHG emissions to generate electricity apply. The comparative analysis of the two scenarios leads to somewhat astonishing conclusions in specific conditions, vehicles powered by ICE pollute less than electric vehicles in urban traffic mode. On the other hand, the study concludes that considering the global scenario, electric vehicles improve air quality because of lower pollution levels. The results of the present study may help politicians, urban designers, and city traffic planners to adopt adequate decisions to reduce GHG levels in urban areas and optimize vehicle use.