For Climate Action
Zimeng Wang
How EVs Can Really Benefit Climate Chang
Defining the Problem: Can EVs Reduce GHG Emissions?
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Electric vehicles are often considered to be able to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, many people have overlooked that if the electric power of EV is coal powered, the resulting greenhouse gas emissions may not decrease. Therefore, the truly impact of EVs on the climate depends on the carbon intensity of the grid. Other factors may impact EV’s promotion include temperature and pollution of rare earth metals.
Global Market of the Electric Vehicle is Increasing Rapidly
Recent years, the number of EV in the world is rapidly increasing, China, Europe, North America, Japan and South Korea are the top 5 EV markets all over the world. And due to the Chinese government’s high subsidies for EV, its market grows more rapidly and becomes the largest market now.
The Carbon Intensity of the Electric Grid is Important
In USA, about 30% of electricity is generated by coal, but in China, there are 64.7% of electricity powered by coal, which means that even if China owned more EVs than USA, the green house emissions from vehicles may be still above USA.
Hypothesis
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Government subsidies for the following five aspects related to electric vehicles may be effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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First, using more electric vehicles instead of fuel vehicles, because of the zero emissions of EV, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Second, increasing the proportion of solar energy in power generation can reduce the carbon intensity of the grid and ensure that the electric power source of EVs is cleaner. Third, increasing the number of public charging stations can encourage more people to charge during the day, that is, more electricity of EVs are from solar energy. Fourth, more subsidize electric buses instead of electric cars. Because electric buses can move more people and occupy less street space, so they can improve transportation efficiency and reduce emissions. Finally, follow the TOD (Transit Oriented Development) model to increase city density, and design bus lanes, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, etc. for streets, which can encourage people to choose electric bus or other green transportation.
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All of these variables can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby reducing environmental pressures, leading to a reduction in government subsidies and becoming a balanced cycle.
Dynamic System Model
(click to expand)
Proposing a Solution:
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In order to maximize the low-emission advantage of electric vehicles relative to fossil-fuel vehicles, we should start with the electricity source of electric vehicles, the types of electric vehicles, and the driving environment of electric vehicles.
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The specific actions are as follows: Firstly, use more solar energy or other renewable energy to replace fossil fuels, fundamentally reduce EVs’ carbon emissions.
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Secondly, give more subsidies to electric buses instead of electric cars, and according to the TOD model, high-density development around a large public transportation hub, the construction of bus lanes, bicycle lanes, and more walkable sidewalks, forming a multi-level system, combined with public charging stations, can encourage green transportation.
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Finally, build more public charging stations to provide protection for the endurance of electric vehicles, and encourage people to charge during the day to reduce the dependence on fossil fuel power generation.
Multi-Function Public Charging Station
More public charging stations should be provided in urban area to serve different types of EVs, while also encouraging people to charge during the daytime instead of charging at home during the nighttime, because at nighttime, electricity always comes from coal rather than solar energy. And public charging stations can also be combined with large public transportation hubs or sites of sharing-car and sharing-bike to provide people with more convenient services.
Street Space Distribution
We can provide electric bus lane on street, to encourage the promotion of electric buses. Besides, there also should be bike lane and side walk to provide a more comfortable environment for green transportation. And the green belts between bicycle lanes and sidewalks are also needed to provide shade for people, because a cooler, beautiful environment is more helpful to encourage people to choose to walk or cycle, especially in the summer.