A calculation model for greenhouse gas emission impacts of electric vehicle carsharing

Abstract

To deal with global warming and maintain the harmonious relationship between people and the nature, low-carbon city and transportation have become the important strategies of sustainable development. Carsharing is a new means of transportation in China, and some research has indicated that it holds considerable benefits to both society and environment. In recent years, electric vehicle (EV) has become the trend of automotive industry and some EV carsharing programs have been launched; therefore, it is necessary to study their greenhouse gas (GHG) emission impacts on cities. By comparing traditional carsharing with EV carsharing, the authors analyze the households’ travel behaviors before and after participating in EV carsharing, which are described by 12 travel behavior parameters. Adding three energy consumption parameters and three emission parameters, the authors propose a calculation model for the GHG emission impacts of EV carsharing. The impacts on low-carbon cities and transportation can be assessed based on this model after acquiring specific data of those parameters by conducting questionnaire surveys, recording with instruments, or referring to research papers.