Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Electric Vehicles using Solar, Natural Gas, Coal, and Average Electricity Mix Energy Sources

This research performs a comparative lifecycle assessment (LCA) to assess the environmental effects of electric vehicles (EVs) using solar, natural gas, coal, and Iran's typical electricity mix, compared to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). The evaluation, following a well-to-wheel approach, measures greenhouse gas (GHG) and air quality (AQ) pollutant emissions for Tesla Model Y and Nissan Rogue cars throughout a ۱۰-year lifespan with ۲۴,۰۰۰ km driven each year. Findings show that coal-powered EVS release the most GHG emissions (۱۷۰.۲۹ g/km), exceeding ICEVS (۱۳۲.۳۸ g/km), whereas solar-powered EVs demonstrate the least GHG and AQ emissions. ICEVs emit the most air quality pollutants, especially carbon monoxide, while coal-powered EVs are the leading contributors to nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides emissions. With more than ۸۰% of Iran's electricity generation dependent on natural gas, EVs utilizing natural gas along with Iran's electricity mix produce similar GHG and AQ emissions, both of which are less than those from ICEVs. The results highlight that sustainable transportation relies not only on vehicle electrification but also on moving to cleaner electricity sources, like solar, to substantially decrease emissions.

کلیدواژه ها:

Life cycle assessment ، Electric vehicles ، GHG emissions ، Air quality pollutant ، Electricity generation