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National Research Council Report on Americas Energy Future Highlights Vehicle Efficiency Technologies, Conversion of Biomass and Coal-to-Liquids Fuels, and Electrifying the Light Duty Fleet with PHEVs, BEVs and FCVs

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Developing technologies for the conversion of biomass and coal-to-liquid fuels. By 2035, cellulosic ethanol and/or coal-and-biomass-to-liquid (CBTL) fuels with carbon capture and storage could replace about 15% of current fuel consumption in the transportation sector (1.7–2.5 emissions, according to the report.

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CMU study finds that HEVs and PHEVs with small battery packs offer more emissions and oil displacement benefits per dollar spent than large pack PHEVs and BEVs; policy implications

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Strategies to promote adoption of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) with small battery packs offer more social benefits (i.e., We find that, in the base case, plug-in vehicles (PHEVs and BEVs) may produce more damage on average than today’s HEVs. Michalek et al. Click to enlarge.

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Swiss WTW study finds important role for alternative fuels as well as alt drivetrains in move to low-emissions vehicles

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WTW energy demand and GHG emissions for EV and PHEV drivetrains for various electricity sources; gasoline ICE vehicle is solid square, hybrid the hollow square. A critical electricity mix can be identified which divides optimal drivetrain performance between the BEV, PHEV and ICE vehicle. Click to enlarge.

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ORNL study finds best current use of natural gas for cars is efficient production of electricity for EVs

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Because the use of natural gas for transportation requires compressing, liquefying, or conversion, it is important to determine the best use of natural gas as a transportation fuel. For the PHEV cases, both charging from the US mix and charging from a natural gas turbine with a 45% electrical generating efficiency were considered.

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Spatially explicit life cycle assessment of 5 sun-to-wheels pathways finds photovoltaic electricity and BEVs offer land-efficient and low-carbon transportation

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A new spatially-explicit life cycle assessment of five different “sun-to-wheels” conversion pathways—ethanol from corn or switchgrass for internal combustion vehicles (ICVs); electricity from corn or switchgrass for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs); and photovoltaic electricity for BEVs—found a strong case for PV BEVs.

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Argonne releases GREET 2020

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The SCSA takes the life-cycle analysis approach to identify energy consumption and environmental sustainability hotspots that could be mitigated through improved process materials and energy conversion efficiencies. These pathways include methanol derived from natural gas, flare gas, biomass, renewable natural gas, coal, and black liquor.

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JEC updates well-to-wheels study on automotive fuels and powertrains; electro-mobility, natural gas and biofuels

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They also note that large-scale production of synthetic fuels or hydrogen from coal or gas offers the potential for GHG emissions reduction—but only if CO 2 can be captured and stored. High quality diesel fuel can be produced from natural gas (GTL) and coal (CTL). ICE-based vehicles and fuels.

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