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The Role of Biofuels and Biomass Feedstocks for Decarbonizing the U.S. Economy by 2050
4/11/2024
Bioenergy holds significant potential to transform the transportation sector, helping to eliminate hard-to-abate sources of emissions, such as aviation, that lack viable electrification alternatives. Further, integrating more biomass-based electrification pathways will diversify the country’s electrical grid, increasing its stability in the future. This study uses process-based analyses of biomass resources and pathways to demonstrate the decarbonization potential and cost-efficiency of scaling bioenergy in the United States.
High-Power Electric Vehicle Charging Hub Integration Platform (eCHIP): Design Guidelines and Specifications for DC Distribution-Based Charging Hub
4/1/2024
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-funded EVs@Scale Consortium aims to expand direct current (DC), distribution-based, high-power charging systems through eCHIP. Further, the eCHIP program seeks to develop affordable, efficient, and interoperable DC-coupled charging hubs (“DC hub”). This report provides a step-by-step analysis of the DC hub platform, including design, development, and implementation. The report also offers metrics and considerations for DC hub system design, using results from a preliminary eCHIP experiment as benchmarking.
Authors: Mithat John Kisacikoglu; Jason D. Harper; Rajendra Prasad Kandula; Alastair P. Thurlbeck; Akram Syed Ali
Study of Electric Vehicle Range Loss Associated with Replacement Tires
4/1/2024
This technical report from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) examines how replacement tires affect the range of EVs, with a goal of supplementing the EV information made available to consumers on the FuelEconomy.Gov website. The report analyzes the change in range from worn tires versus replacement tires, paying particular attention to how tire friction impacts range losses. The report also compares worn, replacement, and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) tires across five EV models from different EV manufacturers. ORNL concludes that, compared to OEM tires, tire replacements reduce estimated EV range whereas worn tires increase estimated range.
Authors: C. Scott Sluder; Stacy C. Davis; Robert G. Boundy
Fuel Properties Comparison Chart
3/20/2024
This chart compares the physical fuel properties and considerations associated with gasoline/E10, low sulfur diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, propane, compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, ethanol, methanol, hydrogen, and electricity for use as vehicle fuels.
Authors: Putzig, M.; Gonzalez, J.; Moriarty, K.; Brown, A.; Rahill, M.
Refueling Infrastructure Deployment in Low-Income and Non-Urban Communities
3/1/2024
Following the need for increased investment in infrastructure that supports low- and zero-emission vehicles in low-income and overburdened communities identified in the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization and the eligibility criteria in the alternative fuel infrastructure tax credit that encourages investment in underserved communities, this report quantifies how many fueling amenities are currently located in census tracts that qualify for the tax credit, as well as the percent of the U.S. population and the percentage of current vehicle registrations that are located in the eligible census tracts.
Authors: Gohlke, D; Zhou, Y; Wu, X
Multi-State Transportation Electrification Impact Study
3/1/2024
This study was conducted to help answer technical and deployment questions about whether the electric grid can accommodate increasing demands from transportation electrification, particularly if it can accommodate the anticipated impact of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rulemakings if finalized as proposed on greenhouse gas emission standards for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty on-road vehicles The study analyzes charging infrastructure and distribution grid upgrade needs for California, Illinois, New York, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania, which are indicative of a variety of transportation demand and utility distribution infrastructure in the United States.
National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy
3/1/2024
This report details the United States strategy for accelerating the sustainable and scalable deployment of reliable zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle (ZE-MHDV) infrastructure along national freight corridors and at truck depots within freight hubs through 2040. The strategy is designed to guide infrastructure deployment to meet market demands, catalyze investments, and support utility and regulatory planning. This document identifies current opportunities for the early introduction of ZE-MHDVs, evaluates deployment factors that target favorable investment areas, and demonstrates how infrastructure can be phased in around the country, emphasizing cross-sector collaboration and a multi-tier government approach.
Authors: Chu, K; Miller, K; Schroeder, A; Gilde, A; Laughlin, M
Levelized Cost of Dispensed Hydrogen for Heavy-Duty Vehicles
3/1/2024
This short technical report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) examines a range of levelized costs of dispensed hydrogen (H2) from hydrogen refueling (or fueling) stations (HRS) for H2 heavy-duty fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). NREL presents a cost range for infrastructure feasible within the 2030 timeframe and explores different scenarios by varying hydrogen delivery distances, HRS sizes, HRS utilization rates, and economies of scale in the Hydrogen Delivery Scenario Analysis Model (HDSAM) tool. These comparisons reflect how different supply chain components affect the levelized cost of dispensed hydrogen.
Authors: Justin Bracci; Mariya Koleva; Mark Chung
Simulation-Based Assessment of Energy Consumption of Alternative Powertrains in Agricultural Tractors
2/27/2024
This report developed simulation models for conventional, parallel hybrid electric, series hybrid electric, fuel cell hybrid, and battery electric powertrain technologies for agricultural tractors, analyzing the potential energy efficiency and emissions benefits as well as technical challenges for implementing the vehicles. The study showed that both the battery electric and fuel cell hybrid tractors have higher potential to reduce energy consumption and emissions, but currently have inherent technical challenges, while the parallel hybrid and series hybrid powertrain tractors have varying energy efficiency benefits depending on the tractor size and operating cycle conditions.
Authors: Lajunen, A; Kivekas, K; Freyermuth, V; Vijayagopal, R; Kim, N
Electric Vehicle Fire Primer for Fleet Managers
2/16/2024
Despite heightened media attention, the risk of an EV fire is statistically very low. Fleet managers considering EVs can learn about the potential for EV fires and measures to help reduce fire risk.
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Trends from the Alternative Fueling Station Locator: Third Quarter 2023
2/1/2024
Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure continues to rapidly change and grow. Using data from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator, this report provides a snapshot of the state of EV charging infrastructure in the United States in the third calendar quarter of 2023 by charging level, network, and location. Additionally, this report measures the current state of charging infrastructure compared with a federal infrastructure requirement scenario. This information is intended to help transportation planners, policymakers, researchers, infrastructure developers, and others understand the rapidly changing landscape of EV charging infrastructure. This is the fifteenth report in a series.
Authors: Brown, A.; Cappellucci, J.; Heinrich, A.; Cost, E.
Adoption of Plug-in Electric Vehicles: Local Fuel Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions Across the U.S
2/1/2024
This report aims to fill a research gap in the local effects of the benefits of electric vehicle (EV) adoption. The report estimates the fuel cost savings and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions at the state and local zip code levels, considering local fuel prices, vehicle class preferences, vehicle model years, fuel efficiencies, and driving intensities. The report found that EV adoption can result in annual savings up to $2,200. Additionally, the report found that in over 99% of U.S. zip codes, EVs result in overall savings in fuel use and GHG emissions.
Authors: Wu, X; Zhou, Y; Gohlke, D
Community Charging: Emerging Multifamily, Curbside, and Multimodal Practices
2/1/2024
This paper discusses the emerging practices and technologies that can be used to bring electric mobility infrastructure to those without access to privately owned electric vehicle (EV) parking or privately owned EVs. Selected case studies from Colorado, California, New York, and outside of the U.S. illustrate curbside and multimodal solutions serving those who live in multifamily housing, residents without private parking, and residents who do not own cars.
Authors: Epstein, A; Ledvina, K; Lian, S; Drake, J; Costa, S; Washington, K
National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI) Brief for State Public Utility Commissions (PUCs)
2/1/2024
State PUCs will play an important role in NEVI buildout as they oversee the utility investment in a new national EV charging network. This policy brief provides an explanation of the NEVI funding process and requirements for PUCs, describing potential PUC roles in the NEVI process and considerations for state PUCs as states undergo the NEVI process. The report also details how the implementation of the NEVI program may broadly impact the future technical requirements and standards for the EV charging industry and specifically for utilities.
Authors: Bennett, R
