Life cycle assessment of emission reduction potential of private electric vehicles

Compared to internal combustion engines(ICEVs), electric vehicles (EVs) have an entirely different propulsion system. Encouraging EVs is a crucial step toward bettering the air. Yet, the impact of EVs on reducing emissions has been hotly debated, and the findings of previous research are still up for debate. Using the Model 3 and Volkswagen as examples, this paper measured the energy consumption and emissions of EVs and ICEVs throughout their life cycles using GREET2021, in order to precisely assess the private EVs’ ability to reduce emissions when compared to ICEVs. The variation in CO2 and pollutant emissions between the two vehicle types was also examined. The results show that an EV uses 29.72% less energy and emits 23.06% less CO2 per 100 kilometers than an ICEV. This is in accordance with the power combination currently in use in China. According to the findings, EVs’ CO2 emissions per 100 km are lowered by 23.6% within China’s present power mix, and its energy consumption per 100 km is decreased by 29.72 % t when compared to ICEVs. The study also found that the power grid structure is a key factor affecting the amount of emissions from electric vehicles. With the improvement of the power grid structure and the increase of the full life cycle driving range, electric vehicles will have more and more advantages in emission reduction.