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Quest for Sustainability: Life-Cycle Emissions Assessment of Electric Vehicles Considering Newer Li-Ion Batteries

Author

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  • Arminda Almeida

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal
    CITTA—Research Centre for Territory, Transports and Environment, 4200-465 Oporto, Portugal)

  • Nuno Sousa

    (Department of Sciences and Technology, Universidade Aberta, 1269-001 Lisbon, Portugal
    INESCC—Institute for Systems Engineering and Computers at Coimbra, 3030-290 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • João Coutinho-Rodrigues

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal
    INESCC—Institute for Systems Engineering and Computers at Coimbra, 3030-290 Coimbra, Portugal)

Abstract

The number of battery electric vehicle models available in the market has been increasing, as well as their battery capacity, and these trends are likely to continue in the future as sustainable transportation goals rise in importance, supported by advances in battery chemistry and technology. Given the rapid pace of these advances, the impact of new chemistries, e.g., lithium-manganese rich cathode materials and silicon/graphite anodes, has not yet been thoroughly considered in the literature. This research estimates life cycle greenhouse gas and other air pollutants emissions of battery electric vehicles with different battery chemistries, including the above advances. The analysis methodology, which uses the greenhouse gases, regulated emissions, and energy use in transportation (GREET) life-cycle assessment model, considers 8 battery types, 13 electricity generation mixes with different predominant primary energy sources, and 4 vehicle segments (small, medium, large, and sport utility vehicles), represented by prototype vehicles, with both battery replacement and non-replacement during the life cycle. Outputs are expressed as emissions ratios to the equivalent petrol internal combustion engine vehicle and two-way analysis of variance is used to test results for statistical significance. Results show that newer Li-ion battery technology can yield significant improvements over older battery chemistries, which can be as high as 60% emissions reduction, depending on pollutant type and electricity generation mix.

Suggested Citation

  • Arminda Almeida & Nuno Sousa & João Coutinho-Rodrigues, 2019. "Quest for Sustainability: Life-Cycle Emissions Assessment of Electric Vehicles Considering Newer Li-Ion Batteries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:8:p:2366-:d:224585
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    References listed on IDEAS

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