Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Life Cycle Cost and Benefit Analysis of Low Carbon Vehicle Technologies

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Sustainable Energy Technology and Policies

Part of the book series: Green Energy and Technology ((GREEN))

Abstract

The transportation sector is currently responsible for about a quarter of global energy demand and emissions. To limit temperature increase to two degrees Celsius, the International Energy Agency projects that about 21% of emissions reduction should come from transport. In recent years, various alternative technology vehicles have emerged, in response to climate targets. Unfortunately, the sustainable energy wave has made it easy for marketing campaigns to influence and shortcut decision making for deployment of new technologies in some countries. This chapter discusses a life cycle-based cost-benefit analysis framework to serve as decision-support for policy makers in lieu of emerging alternative vehicle technologies. The proposed tool evaluates based on two main impacts: net ownership costs and net external benefits. Within each are more specific cost- and emission-related impacts which are assessed using the AFLEET and GREET tools of the Argonne National Laboratory, and using inputs from published studies. The tool is used to evaluate the effects of shifting to alternative energy vehicle technologies for new and in-use vehicles. The approach is demonstrated via a case study in the Philippines. Results favor LPG as a replacement for in-use, gasoline-powered passenger cars, diesel for new passenger cars, and diesel hybrid electric for public utility jeepneys. The data also reflects the good health and social benefits of electric vehicles, but high fueling infrastructure investment costs deter its deployment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Ahouissoussi NBC, Wetzstein M (1997) A comparative cost analysis of biodiesel, compressed natural gas, methanol, and diesel for transit bus systems. Resour Energy Econ 20:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Argonne National Laboratory (2016a) Alternative Fuel Life-Cycle Environmental and Economic Transportation (AFLEET) tool. Retrieved from https://greet.es.anl.gov/afleet

  3. Argonne National Laboratory (2016b) The Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation Model (GREET). Retrieved from https://greet.es.anl.gov/

  4. Brook RD, Franklin B, Cascio W, Hong Y, Howard G, Lipsett M, Luepker R, Mittleman M, Samet J, Smith SC, Tager I (2004) Air pollution and cardiovascular disease. Circulation 109:2655–2671

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Buckeridge DL, Glazier R, Harvey BJ, Escobar M, Amrhein C, Frank J (2002) Effect of motor vehicle emissions on respiratory health in an urban area. Environ Health Perspect 110(3):293–300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Carguide.ph (2012) Toyota Motor Philippines Launches Prius C. Retrieved from http://www.carguide.ph/2012/01/toyota-motor-philippines-launches-prius.html

  7. Carter NL (1996) Transportation noise, sleep, and possible after-effects. Environ Int 22(1):105–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Clark C, Stansfeld SA (2007) The effect of transportation noise on health and cognitive development: A review of recent evidence. Int J Comp Psychol 20:145–158

    Google Scholar 

  9. Collas-Monsod S (2012) Why is PH experience with LPG so different? Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved from http://opinion.inquirer.net/39068/why-is-ph-experience-with-lpg-so-different

  10. Dai Q, Lastoskie C (2014) Life cycle assessment of natural gas-powered personal mobility options. Energy Fuels 28:5988–5997

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. FAO (2016) Biofuels situation and projection highlights. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/3/a-BO103e.pdf

  12. Gatdula DL (2002). 1st 100% natural gas vehicles launched. The Philippine Star. Retrieved from http://www.philstar.com/business/146534/1st-100-natural-gas-vehicles-launched

  13. Goedecke M, Therdthianwong S, Gheewala S (2007) Life cycle cost analysis of alternative vehicles and fuels in Thailand. Energy Policy 35:3236–3246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Huo H, Zhang Q, Liu F, He K (2013) Climate and environmental effects of electric vehicles versus compressed natural gas vehicles in China: a life-cycle analysis at provincial level. Environ Sci Technol 47:1711–1718

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. International Energy Agency (2016) Energy technology perspectives 2016: towards sustainable urban energy systems. International Energy Agency, Paris, France

    Google Scholar 

  16. Jaramillo P, Samaras C, Wakely H, Meisterling K (2009) Greenhouse gas implications of using coal for transportation: Lifecycle assessment of coal-to-liquids, plug-inhybrids, and hydrogen pathways. Energy Policy 37:2689–2695

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Krzyzanowski M (2005) Health effects of transport-related air pollution: summary for policy-makers. World Health Organization, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Google Scholar 

  18. Lave L, MacLean H, Hendrickson C, Lankey R (2000) Life-cyclea analysis of alternative automobile fuel/propulsion technologies. Environ Sci Technol 34:3598–3605

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Lercher P, Widmann U, Kofler W (2000) Transportation noise and blood pressure: the importance of modifying factors. In: Proceedings of The 29th International Congress and Exhibition on Noise Control Engineering, 27–30 August 2000, Nice, France, pp 1–5

    Google Scholar 

  20. López J, Gómez A, Aparicio F, Sánchez FJ (2009) Comparison of GHG emissions from diesel, biodiesel and natural gas refuse trucks of the City of Madrid. Appl Energy 86:610–615

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Lvovsky K, Hughes G, Maddison D, Ostro B, Pearce D (2000) Environmental cost of fossil fuel – A rapid assessment method with application to six cities. In: Environment department papers. World Bank, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  22. MacLean H, Lave L, Lankey R, Joshi S (2000) A life cycle comparison of alternative automobile fuels. J Air & Waste Manage Assoc 50:1769–1779

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Meleina M, Penev M (2013) Hydrogen infrastructure cost. Technical Report NREL/TP-5400-56412. Retrieved from http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy13osti/56412.pdf

  24. McKenzie E, Durango-Cohen P (2012) Environmental life-cycle assessment of transit buses with alternative fuel technology. Transp Res Part D 17:39–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Mejia A (2016) Assessing the emission pathways of the Philippine road transport sector. In: Masters thesis. Miriam College, Manila, Philippines

    Google Scholar 

  26. Messagie M, Lebeau K, Coosemand T, Macharis C, van Mierlo J (2013) Environmental and financial evaluation of passenger vehicle technologies in Belgium. Sustainability 5:5020–5033

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Methanol Market Services Asia (2015) Methanol price forecast. Retrieved from http://www.methanolmsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Chapter-IX-Price-Forecast.pdf

  28. Meyer P, Green E, Corbett J, Mas C, Winebrake J (2011) Total fuel-cycle analysis of heavy-duty vehicles using biofuels and natural gas-based alternative fuels. J Air & Waste Manage Assoc 61:285–294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Ogden J, Williams R, Larson E (2004) Societal lifecycle costs of cars with alternative fuels/engines. Energy Policy 32:7–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Pope IIICA, Burnett RT, Thun MJ, Calle EE, Krewski D, Ito K, Thurston GD (2002) Lung cancer, cardiopulmonary mortality, and long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution. JAMA 287(9):1132–1141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Sánchez JAG, Martínez JML, Martín JL, Holgado MNF (2012) Comparison of life cycle energy consumption and GHG emissions of natural gas, biodiesel and diesel buses of the Madrid transportation system. Energy 47:174–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Sen B, Ercan T, Tatari O (2017) Does a battery-electric truck make a difference? Life cycle emissions, costs, and externality analysis of alternative fuel-powered class 8 heavy-duty trucks in the United States. J Clean Prod 141:110–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Sharma A, Strezov V (2017) Life cycle environmental and economic impact assessment of alternative transport fuels and power-train technologies. Energy, Accepted manuscript

    Google Scholar 

  34. Shen W, Han W, Chock D, Zhang A (2012) Well-to-wheels life-cycle analysis of alternative fuels and vehicle technologies in China. Energy Policy 49:296–307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Smith M, Castellano J (2015) Cost associated with Non-Residential electric vehicle supply equipment. U.S. Department of Energy Vehicle Technology Office. Retrieved from https://www.afdc.energy.gov/uploads/publication/evse_cost_report_2015.pdf

  36. Sram RJ, Binkova B, Dejmek J, Bobak M (2005) Ambient air pollution and pregnancy outcomes: a review of the literature. Environ Health Perspect 113(4):375–382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Tiongson-Mayrina K (2008) Autogas usage increases, but safety concerns remain. GMA News Online. Retrieved from http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/content/25114/autogas-usage-increases-but-safety-concerns-remain/story/

  38. Tong F, Jaramillo P, Azevedo IM (2015) Comparison of life cycle greenhouse gases from natural gas pathways for light-duty vehicles. Energy Fuels 29:6008–6018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Trading Economics (2016). Philippine Inflation Rate Forecast. Retrieved from https://tradingeconomics.com/philippines/inflation-cpi/forecast

  40. United Nations Environment Program (2017) Promoting sustainable low emissions transport. Retrieved from http://www.unep.org/energy/what-we-do/transport

  41. Waldhoff S, Anhoff D, Roase S, Tol R (2011) The marginal cost of different GHG gases: an application of FUND. Economics No.2011-43

    Google Scholar 

  42. World Bank (2016a) Oil price forecast. Retrieved from https://knoema.com/yxptpab/crude-oil-price-forecast-long-term-2017-to-2030-data-and-charts

  43. World Bank (2016b) Natural gas price forecast. Retrieved from https://knoema.com/ncszerf/natural-gas-prices-forecast-long-term-2017-to-2030-data-and-charts

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical Engineering Department, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Ave., Malate, 0922, Manila, Philippines

    Neil Stephen Lopez, Jimwell Soliman & Jose Bienvenido Manuel Biona

Authors
  1. Neil Stephen Lopez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jimwell Soliman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jose Bienvenido Manuel Biona
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Neil Stephen Lopez .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

    Sudipta De

  2. Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

    Santanu Bandyopadhyay

  3. Natural Gas Technology, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway

    Mohsen Assadi

  4. Board of Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

    Deb A Mukherjee

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Lopez, N.S., Soliman, J., Biona, J.B.M. (2018). Life Cycle Cost and Benefit Analysis of Low Carbon Vehicle Technologies. In: De, S., Bandyopadhyay, S., Assadi, M., Mukherjee, D. (eds) Sustainable Energy Technology and Policies. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8393-8_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8393-8_5

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-8392-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-8393-8

  • eBook Packages: EnergyEnergy (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation