Environmental Assessment of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Vol. 1: Nationwide Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Executive Summary)
7/1/2007
This report describes the first detailed, nationwide analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The "well-to-wheels" analysis accounted for emissions from the generation of electricity to charge PHEV batteries and from the production, distribution, and consumption of gasoline and diesel motor fuels. Conclusions indicate annual and cumulative GHG emissions are reduced significantly across each of the nine scenario combinations of PHEV fleet penetration; and annual GHG emissions reductions were significant in every scenario combination of the study. Cumulative GHG emissions reductions between 2010 and 2050 can range from 3.4 to 10.3 billion metric tons. Each region of the country will yield reductions in GHG emissions.
Notes: To download entire document go to: http://www.epri.com/abstracts/Pages/ProductAbstract.aspx?productId=000000000001015325 EPRI makes no warranty or representations, expressed or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained in the material. Additionally, EPRI assumes no liability with respect to the use of, or for damages resulting from the use of the material.
Environmental Assessment of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Vol. 2: United States Air Quality Analysis Based on AEO-2006 Assumptions for 2030 (Executive Summary)
7/1/2007
Because of the significant reduction in emissions from gasoline and diesel fuel use and because caps are in place for some conventional pollutants for the electric power sector, this study finds that in many regions of the U.S., deployment of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)would reduce exposures to ozone and particulate matter, and reduce deposition rates for acids, nutrients, and mercury. On the other hand, because of assuming no further controls beyond existing regulations for the power sector, ozone levels would increase locally in some areas. Similarly, the direct emissions of particulate matter and mercury would increase somewhat and some regions and populations would experience marginal increases in exposures to those pollutants. However, as explained in the key findings, PHEVs do not increase the U.S. contribution to the global mercury budget over the long term.
Notes: To download entire document go to: http://www.epri.com/abstracts/Pages/ProductAbstract.aspx?ProductId=000000000001015326. EPRI makes no warranty or representations, expressed or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained in the material. Additionally, EPRI assumes no liability with respect to the use of, or for damages resulting from the use of the material.
Research on PHEV Battery Requirements and Evaluation of Early Prototypes
5/17/2007
Presentation overview of energy storage requirements being validated with systems-level testing including energy storage requirements using PSAT, battery requirements validation with HIL, and PHEV Prius Vehicle Testing.
Authors: Rousseau, A.; Shidore, N.; Carlson, R.; Nelson, P.
Costs and Emissions Associated with Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Charging in the Xcel Energy Colorado Service Territory
5/1/2007
The combination of high oil costs, concerns about oil security and availability, and air quality issues related to vehicle emissions are driving interest in ?plug-in? hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). PHEVs are similar to conventional hybrid electric vehicles, but feature a larger battery and plug-in charger that allows electricity from the grid to replace a portion of the petroleum-fueled drive energy. PHEVs may derive a substantial fraction of their miles from grid-derived electricity, but without the range restrictions of pure battery electric vehicles. As of early 2007, production of PHEVs is essentially limited to demonstration vehicles and prototypes. However, the technology has received considerable attention from the media, national security interests, environmental organizations, and the electric power industry. The use of PHEVs would represent a significant potential shift in the use of electricity and the operation of electric power systems. Electrification of the transportation sector could increase generation capacity and transmission and distribution (T&D) requirements, especially if vehicles are charged during periods of high demand. This study is designed to evaluate several of these PHEV-charging impacts on utility system operations within the Xcel Energy Colorado service territory.
Authors: Parks, K.; Denholm, P.; Markel, T.
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle R&D Plan, External Draft
2/1/2007
The U.S. Department of Energy is supporting the development of hybrid vehicles that have the ability to operate in botn electrical/mechanical and electric-only modes recharging from a standard electric outlet. This is in line with President Bush's challenge of technology that would allow 40 miles electric range, enough to satisfy approximately 70 percent of daily U.S. travel. In May 2006, the FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technology Program convened a 2-day meeting to discuss a path forward. This report is the external draft of the research & development plan for the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle program.
The Evolution of Powertrain Technology 2008 and Beyond: Engines, Hybrids, Battery Electric, Fuel Cells, Transmissions
1/1/2007
The objectives of this study were to provide automotive suppliers and OEMs with a set of plausible alternatives that cover the future vehicle market, crude oil prices, regulatory and business environment; provide an assessment of benefits and costs of various powertrain technologies; identify the technical and market barriers that must be overcome to bring these technologies to market; provide a forecast of the potential market share of these technologies.
Authors: Gott, P.; Linna, J-R; Mello, J.
Tackling Climate Change in the U.S.: Potential Carbon Emissions Reductions from Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by 2030
1/1/2007
Energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies have the potential to provide most, if not all, of the U.S. carbon emissions reductions that will be needed to help limit the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide to 450 to 500 ppm. The document includes a section on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. This section focuses on plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technology, which adds additional battery capacity and charging capability to current hybrid electric vehicle technology. Plug-in vehicles thereby make possible substantial vehicle operation on energy derived from the electrical grid rather than from gasoline.
Authors: Kutscher, C., Editor; Lilienthal,P.; Brown, H.
King County Metro Transit Hybrid Articulated Buses Final Evaluation Results
12/1/2006
This is the final report on hybrid electric buses in service at King County Metro Transit in King County, Washington. The report includes 12 months of performance data on ten 60-ft. New Flyer buses with a hybrid propulsion system designed and built by GM Allison. This fleet is the largest application of the GM Allison hybrid propulsion system to date. The report also outlines the overall experience of the transit agency and their project partners in operating these advanced technology buses in revenue service.
Authors: Chandler, K.; Walkowicz, K.
New York City Transit (NYCT) Hybrid (125 Order) and CNG Transit Buses: Final Evaluation Results
11/1/2006
This report is one of a series of evaluations by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), that track and evaluate new propulsion systems in transit buses and trucks using established and documented evaluation protocol. DOE/NREL evaluated the original 10 prototype diesel-hybrid buses from Orion and BAE Systems (model Orion VI buses) operated by New York City Transit (NYCT). That evaluation was reported in July 2002 and provided results from the prototype buses from 1998 through 2001. This report focuses on 10 new compressed natural gas (CNG) and next generation diesel hybrid electric bus propulsion systems in NYCT's transit buses.
Authors: Barnitt, R., Chandler, K.
An Evaluation of Utility System Impacts and Benefits of Optimally Dispatched Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles
10/1/2006
Hybrid electric vehicles with the capacity of being recharged from the grid may provide a significant decrease in oil consumption. These plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) will affect utility operations, adding additinoal electricity demand. Because many individual vehicles may be charged in the extended overnight period, and because the cost of wireless communication has decreased, there is a unique opportunity for utilities to directly control the charging of these vehicles at the precise times when normal electricity demand is at a minimum. This report evaluates the effects of optimal PHEV charging, under the assumption that utilities will indirectly or directly control when charging takes place, providing consumers with the absolute lowest cost of driving energy.
Authors: Denholm, P.; Short, W.