Equivalent emissions factors for electric cars.

摘要

A comparison has been made of the global emissions from electric vehicles for passenger transport using electricity obtained from fossil fuel combustion and from conventional current petrol powered passenger cars with three-way catalysts. For electricity generated from coal, electric vehicles compare favorably for all emissions with the exception of SO(sub 2). A reduction of SO(sub 2) emissions from coal fired power plants of over 95% is needed to reduce them to levels comparable to those of current petrol powered passenger cars equipped with three-way catalysts. In the case of electrical power generated from a small natural gas fired co-generation units with a lean burn engine, electric vehicles have comparable or better emissions with the exception of hydrocarbons (principally methane). The utilization of waste heat generated in the power generation process increases the attractiveness of the electric vehicle, since waste heat cannot be utilized in vehicles. The use of non-fossil fuel power generation decreases the effective emissions from the electric vehicles in direct proportion to the amount used. Consideration must be taken of other types of pollutants generated, for example nuclear waste and pollutants from increased battery production, in the assessment total environmental impact of the electric vehicle. (au).