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Carbon Footprint of Electric Vehicles—Review of Methodologies and Determinants

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  • Dorota Burchart

    (Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland)

  • Iga Przytuła

    (Faculty of Transport and Aviation Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland)

Abstract

The carbon footprint of a product and organization is one of the most important environmental indicators in many sectors, including transport. Consequently, electric vehicles (EV) are being introduced as an alternative to achieve decarbonization targets. This article presents an overview of methodologies for assessing the carbon footprint of electric vehicles, including a review of concepts, methods, standards, and calculation models based on the life cycle of the carbon footprint. The article also includes a systematic review of the results of EV carbon footprint analyses. The analysis of current knowledge on the carbon footprint focuses on road transport vehicles: Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV), Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV). Additionally, a review of factors determining the carbon footprint assessment of electric vehicles, considering their entire life cycle, has been conducted.

Suggested Citation

  • Dorota Burchart & Iga Przytuła, 2024. "Carbon Footprint of Electric Vehicles—Review of Methodologies and Determinants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-21, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:22:p:5667-:d:1519758
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Qiao, Qinyu & Zhao, Fuquan & Liu, Zongwei & He, Xin & Hao, Han, 2019. "Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of Electric Vehicles in China: Combining the vehicle cycle and fuel cycle," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 222-233.
    4. Onat, Nuri Cihat & Kucukvar, Murat & Tatari, Omer, 2015. "Conventional, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric vehicles? State-based comparative carbon and energy footprint analysis in the United States," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 36-49.
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