Fuel Cycle Environmental Assessment for Electric Vehicles in China

Abstract

Electric vehicles (EVs) offer the potential for substantial reductions in energy consumption and emissions during the vehicle traveling stage. In considering these benefits, it is important to address concerns of environmental problem-shifting. In addition, while praise has focused on the use phase in comparing transportation options, the power source production is also significant when comparing conventional and EVs. This study develops and provides a life cycle inventory of EVs and applies the inventory to assess the fuel cycle energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of the EVs and the internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). The results show that EVs powered by the present China electricity mix offer a 48% decrease in energy use and a 38% decrease in global warming potential (GWP) relative to conventional gasoline vehicles.