Impact assessment of vehicle electrification on regional air quality in China and climate impact assessment of electric vehicles 2050
The development of electric vehicles (EVs, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs)) could enhance fuel diversity and utilise renewable energy, which is considered a promising, long-term solution to reduce high dependence on fossil fuels and alleviate climate change impacts from a global perspective. In addition, EV deployment is considered capable of improving urban air quality by reducing on-road emissions for traffic-populated areas. Chinese policymakers are aware of the potential environmental benefits of EVs in lessening urban atmospheric pollution. Decade-long discussions regarding whether fleet electrification can deliver actual environmental benefits on a regional scale have been heated during recent years. Life cycle assessment (LCA) methods were applied to determine the well-to-wheels (WTW) reduction benefits of energy consumption and emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants through electro-mobility. During the initial phase of the project, the full life cycle energy consumption and emissions of CO2 and major air pollutants for light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles at national and regional levels in China were estimated to the year 2030. This provides massive policy implications to policymakers in terms of EV promotion. Moreover, these results are in a complex pattern and vary considerably by the power generation mix and vehicle technology. Based on this, the report aims to delve deeper from two different perspectives: methodology and timeframe.