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The transportation sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and electric and hybrid vehicles (EHVs) are among many solutions that can help reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and their resulting GHG emissions. This study addresses the significant and understudied question of how EHVs' adoption influences CO 2 emissions using panel U.S. state-level data over the 2016-2019 period and fixed effects. The study finds no statistically significant relationship between the adoption of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) and CO 2 emissions. These findings could be explained by adoption rates of HEVs and PHEVs that are too low to manifest statistically significant reductions in CO 2 emissions from the potential displacement of internal-combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). The findings also align with observations indicating that PEVs, although emission-free, are frequently adopted as supplementary rather than primary vehicles by multi-vehicle households in the U.S. The complexities surrounding EHVs and their impact on CO 2 emissions highlight the importance of further research in understanding the role these vehicles play in the larger context of sustainable transportation as well as more nuanced research into adoption patterns, potential policy interventions, and broader environmental implications. [Display omitted] • Electric and hybrid vehicles can reduce emissions and fight climate change. • The relationship between electric and hybrid vehicles and CO 2 emissions is examined. • U.S. state-level data for the 2016-2019 period are used for the analysis. • There is no evidence that electric and hybrid vehicle adoptions reduce emissions. • Various plausible explanations of the results and recommendations are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) are a promising alternative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector and ultimately, to contribute to a more sustainable society. Within the current commitments of the Brazilian Government to international agreements, in terms of emissions reductions by 2030, some new policies have been implemented, in order to incentivize the diffusion of AFV in the country. Yet, how will these policies contribute to the goal of increasing its fleet in the long-term, how long will it take and what are the differences (if any) among the policies, in terms of their effectiveness, are questions that remain unanswered. In this sense, the main aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of public policies in the long-term diffusion dynamics of AFV in Brazil. In order to do so, a system dynamics model is developed, based on the Generalized Bass Diffusion model, the Cobb-Douglas function and the learning curve theory. The model is used to test four different policies and some uncertainties related to: (i) the exemption of the import duty; (ii) the reduction of the motor vehicle property tax; (iii) the exemption of the tax on manufacturing goods; and (iv) a banning regulation for internal combustion engine vehicles in the long-term. The results highlight the importance of the current incentive policies but at the same time call for reinforcing efforts in order to increase the AFV fleet to significant values by 2030. Conversely, the banning regulation obtains a higher diffusion rate, but only achieves significant values by 2060. The paper concludes by showing the main contributions and policy implications of the effectiveness of the four policies studied as well as some suggestions for future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nearly ten years have passed since the comeback of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). However, the percentage of such vehicles on the roads is still low and there is widespread concern about the long-term success of this technology. On the other hand, vehicles fueled with hydrogen, which it is beginning to be praised by several car companies as the fuel of future, do not yet have broad market acceptance, being even lower than battery electric vehicles and facing significant barriers for a widespread diffusion. In this research work, a novel type-approval test procedure is developed aiming to stablish an impartial simulation-based comparative analysis of technical feasibility, performance, range, and greenhouse gas emissions of two hybrid powertrains that manage electricity stored in a lithium-ion battery and hydrogen in tanks: Plug-In Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FC-PHEV) and Extended Range Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FC-EREV). The simulation framework developed considers the barriers and how to avoid them through the implementation of a set of fuel management rules. The findings indicate that hybrid powertrains achieve greater ranges and lower greenhouse gas emissions, opening the door to introduce these vehicles onto the market without the need to wait till the main barrier, the hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, is fully developed. [Display omitted] • Current situation on battery electric and fuel cell vehicles are analyzed. • The develop of hybrid powertrains with battery and hydrogen is justified. • Two powertrains for hydrogen-electricity hybrids are presented. A set of fuel management rules is designed. • A new type-approval test procedure is developed to measure consumption and emissions of hidrogen hybrids. • Extensive simulation campaign is conducted, which shows positive results about the viability of the proposed hybrid powertrains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive evaluation of greenhouse gas emission reductions from alternative vehicle powertrains requires the use of a life cycle assessment methodology, which considers manufacturing, utilization and end-of-life phases of the vehicle and fuel production. However, vehicle powertrain technologies and regional electricity and fuel production characteristics are evolving rapidly, making such studies performed using current data obsolete in few years. For example, regional electricity generation mixes across the Canadian provinces are largely different, and they are likely to evolve with the introduction of renewable electricity. Hence, there is a general need for adaptable and flexible life cycle assessment frameworks for the transportation sector for rapid evaluation of GHG reductions using up-to-date data. The objective of this study is to develop an adaptive life cycle assessment framework for light duty vehicles that can incorporate critical new developments in vehicle powertrain technologies and changes in electricity and fuel supply. Conventional, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric and fuel cell powertrain types are included in the framework as parametrized models. Critical parameters related to vehicle size and battery capacity, fuel consumption, mileage, battery chemistry, vehicle hybridization, and electricity and fuel emission intensity are incorporated. The framework was demonstrated by applying it in the Canadian context with the analysis of scenarios associated with electricity grid emission intensity, mileage, battery capacity and battery chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is to evaluate the impact of cleaner vehicles on energy systems and CO2 emissions in the transportation sector in Japan. The transportation sector has the characteristic of spending petroleum. Even when the cost of petroleum rises, conventional vehicles cannot switch fuels to alternative energy right away. Cleaner vehicles, such as fuel cell vehicles, would be one of the alternative technologies in the transportation sector. It is supposed to have excellent performance in fuel efficiency and has strong possibility to reduce CO2 drastically. This paper uses a multi-period market equilibrium model to explore the impacts of cleaner vehicles on the passenger transportation sector in Japanese energy system out to the year 2040. A Btu tax is tentatively imposed to evaluate the effect of fuel cost on energy consumption in the transportation sector. Financial parameters such as capital cost and operating cost are considered to summarize the profit in taxation case. The result of this study shows that fuel cell vehicles have a great effect on reducing CO2 emissions especially when Btu taxes are imposed, which in turn has the advantage of encouraging a more diverse set of technologies and fuels. The analysis that petroleum consumption can be reduced using fuel cell vehicles will have effects on perspectives on energy systems in Japan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This research aimed to investigate the antecedents of Malaysians purchase intention of hybrid vehicles through the integration of the Norm Activation Model (NAM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Data was collected from vehicle owners (n = 256) across suburban areas of the Greater Kuala Lumpur and was analyzed using Partial-Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Specific pro-environmental factors, namely perceived green value, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norm, were found to exert a positive influence over green purchase intention. Additionally, the results show that environmental knowledge has positive moderating effects on the link between perceived green value and green purchase intention. Perceived behavioral control was shown to mediate the effects of environmental concern and responsibility on green purchase intention. The findings reinforce the current view that pro-environmental factors overcome self-interest in buyers' decision-making process. Given the limited literature integrating TPB and NAM within the hybrid vehicle market context, especially in the developing economies, the findings provide a novel perspective for future research to build on. • This study assimilates norm activation model and theory of planned behavior to elucidate green purchase intention of hybrid vehicles. • Perceived green value (PGV), perceived behavioral control (PBC) and perceived environmental responsibility (PER) positively influence the green purchase intention (GPI) of hybrid vehicles. • Environmental knowledge exerts positive contingent effects on the link between PGV and GPI. • Automotive firms may empower consumers in making well-informed ecological choices as part of their core branding strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]