Phasing in electric vehicles: Does policy focusing on operating emission achieve net zero emissions reduction objectives?

• Published in: Transportation research. Part A, Policy and practice Policy and practice, 2021-10, Vol.152, p.100-114
• Main Authors: Logan, Kathryn G., Nelson, John D., Brand, Christian, Hastings, Astley
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon dioxide emissions; Electric vehicles; Impact Evaluation; Life cycle analysis; Operating emissions
• ISSN: 0965-8564; 1879-2375
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2021.08.001

•Future policy should consider both LCA and operating emissions models.•Decline in BEV emissions are dependent on electricity generation mix.•The UK will struggle to meet emission targets if BEVs are introduced in 2030.•Current UK policies miss operating emission targets by 48.9 MtCO2.•In 2050 for cars, total LCA emissions were 44% higher than operating emissions. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are being integrated into the UK transport network to reduce operating emissions (OEs) as BEVs produce zero emission at point of use. True OEs depend upon fuel source emissions, and ‘cradle-to-grave’ life cycle emissions. This paper investigates method comparisons of a simple operation emissions model (OPEM) against a life cycle analysis (LCA) (Transport Energy and Air Pollution Model (TEAM-UK)) approach to inform on the UK’s target to achieve net zero emissions. Emission comparisons from internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) and BEVs between 2017 and 2050 using TEAM-UK (estimating both OEs and full LCA) and the OPEM (OEs only) across three vehicle scenarios were analysed: (S1) 100% ICEVs, (S2) new ICEVs banned from 2040, and (S3) new ICEVs banned from 2030. Both model outputs varied between scenarios. The OPEM predicted 19% more emissions in S1 (OEs only comparison). Differences between methods in S2 and S3 were minimal (