A free online calculator based on new data could help people estimate and compare greenhouse gas emissions according to the vehicle they drive, how they drive and where they live.
Researchers from the University of Michigan have prepared one of the most comprehensive analyses comparing vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.
It has estimates for 35 combinations of vehicle class and powertrains, including petrol-powered utes (called gas pickups in the US), hybrid SUVs and fully electric sedans.
“Vehicle electrification is a key strategy for climate action,” said senior author Greg Keoleian, a professor at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability.
“Our purpose here was to evaluate the cradle-to-grave greenhouse gas reduction from the electrification of vehicles compared with a baseline of gasoline-powered vehicles.”
While the authors hope their calculator will help drivers make more informed decisions about the types of vehicles they drive and their emissions, the information will also be valuable to policymakers and the automotive industry.
“The [US] government is backing off incentives, like the electric vehicle tax credit, but the original equipment manufacturers are heavily invested and focused on the technology and affordability of EVs,” Keoleian said.
Last year, more than one in five new cars sold globally were electric, with global electric car sales exceeding 17 million. In China, almost half of car sales were electric last year, while in the US there were 1.6 million electric car sales.
“Transportation accounts for 28 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions and we need to reduce those to limit future climate impacts such as flooding, wildfires and drought events, which are increasing in intensity and frequency,” Keoleian said.
“EVs are becoming the dominant powertrain in other parts of the world and manufacturers recognise that is the future for the US.”
The researchers analysed emission numbers not just in the context of driving, but also in manufacturing and disposing of vehicles. They also considered factors such as powertrains, vehicle class, driving behaviour and location.
For example, location can affect emissions in two ways. First, all vehicles tend to use more fuel at lower temperatures. Second, because power grids also vary by location, charging an EV in a location with a cleaner grid will emit less greenhouse gas than in other locations. The University of Michigan researchers focused on locations within the US.
They found on average, pickup trucks with internal combustion engines were the highest emitters at 302 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre.
Switching to a hybrid pickup would reduce those emissions by 23 per cent, while a fully electric pickup reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 75 per cent.
The researchers also found that an electric pickup truck carrying more than 1100 kilograms still produced less than 30 per cent of the emissions of a gas-powered pickup truck carrying no cargo.
“The thing is really matching your vehicle with your needs,” Keoleian said.
He advised drivers is to pick the smallest vehicle that suited their particular needs.
“Obviously, if you’re in the trades, you may need a pickup truck. But you can get a battery electric pickup truck. If you’re just commuting to work by yourself, I’d recommend a sedan battery electric vehicle instead,” he said.
The work has been published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
This article first appeared in Cosmos. Read the original here
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