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The transportation sector has the highest energy demand worldwide and bears the primary responsibility for CO2 emissions. Electromobility has emerged as the most feasible way to alleviate this problem. However, its potential depends heavily on the development of renewable energies. Island regions raise additional barriers to electromobility due to their heavy dependence on fossil fuels. This article addresses this challenge by presenting a comprehensive well-to-wheel framework to assess the levels of efficiency and CO2 emissions of electromobility options such as battery and plug-in electric vehicles (BEVs and PHEVs). The results were compared with those for internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). The framework proposed takes account of various factors including the extraction, refining, and transport of oil, different segments of land vehicles, and electricity system operations. The framework is demonstrated with a case study of the Spanish Canary archipelago. The results show that BEVs improve efficiency and CO2 emissions by around 30% compared to ICEVs on islands where the share of renewable energies is higher than 21%. In contrast, limited renewable generation may lead to BEVs polluting up to 15% more than ICEVs. PHEVs should be considered as a suitable alternative if the share of renewable generation is higher than 35%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes the use and management of hybrid storage systems to power hybrid electric vehicles with the aim of reducing the negative effects of high current values on battery cycling life. Findings derive from a case study on a commercial plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with battery pack operations supported by a Lithium-ion Capacitor module. Specific experimental laboratory activities focused on the parametrization and validation of an equivalent circuit model representing the behavior of Lithium-ion capacitors for integration into the overall vehicle model (designed calibrated and validated on the basis of data from on-board data acquisition and measurement systems). The simulation platform was used to test various energy management strategies for the hybrid storage system supplying the vehicle during real driving cycles characterized by different operating conditions and driving styles. Results highlight the benefits of using the considered management strategies in terms of battery durability, allowing performance comparison for different driving routes and styles. • Energy management strategies for hybrid storage system are proposed for the case study of a commercial hybrid vehicle. • Detailed vehicle and storage simulation models have been implemented in AVL CruiseM environment. • Experimental activities are carried out to perform model parametrization and validation. • The application and main advantages of the proposed strategies are evaluated for the vehicle running on RDE cycles. [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]