Transportation's Role in Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions ...

Transportation’s Role in Reducing U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Volume 2
Table 2.16 Emissions from Battery Electric Vehicle (National Average
Grid Emissions) versus Conventional Gasoline
Pollutant Change in Emissions versus Gasoline
VOC -91%
CO -98%
NOx -11%
PM10
PM2.5
2-74
416%
220%
SOx 494%
a The use of national average grid emissions may not be appropriate to model the emissions impacts of electric
vehicle charging demands. See Section 3.2.4 for an assessment of the nationwide changes in pollutants from
a representative PHEV charging scenario; results for a BEV scenario will show similar or greater impacts.
BEVs would incur similar benefits to PHEVs with respect to grid management benefits
associated with smart charging (see Section 3.2.4). BEVs also operate very quietly and can
reduce noise pollution, and the charging infrastructure cannot create fuel spills as can
many other alternative fuels. Many vehicle owners also may value the refueling
convenience associated with home recharging, as well as the energy security benefits of
reduced oil use (Burke et al., 2007).
Additionally, BEVs can have excellent acceleration, as well as fewer maintenance
requirements than conventional vehicles as they have relatively simple powertrains
(Kromer and Heywood, 2007). Another possible cobenefit of widespread use of BEV and
PHEV charging systems would come from the use of smart chargers. These chargers
could be remotely signaled to alter charge rates to perform load frequency control for the
grid power system. This could result in more efficient grid electric generation if
widespread use was achieved.
Some of the technology advancement from BEV research can facilitate the advancement of
HEV and PHEV technology as well, and vice versa. Even if, as described above, BEV
technology does not become widespread, research in this field is not lost as it can benefit
other types of electric power platforms, especially with regards to battery technology.