Multiple pathways to transport decarbonisation: bioethanol and electrification across distinct energy systems

IF 7.4 2区工程技术 Q1 ENERGY & FUELS

Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments Pub Date : 2026-09-01 Epub Date: 2026-08-31 DOI:10.1016/j.seta.2026.105368

Ana Lucia de Souza Niero, Sarah Mozzaquatro Pasini, Evangelos Kallitsis, Sophie Kempston, Jacqueline Sophie Edge, Sergio Yesid Gómez González, Jonathan Radcliffe, Dachamir Hotza

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Abstract

Transport decarbonisation is critical to achieving net-zero mobility, yet mitigation pathways vary globally. This study presents a regionalised life-cycle assessment using the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies (GREET) model to investigate how contrasting energy systems influence environmental performance across Southern Brazil, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (USA) Midwest over a 200,000 km vehicle lifetime. Results show that decarbonisation pathways cannot be universally prioritised and must align with regional grid characteristics. Compared with gasoline internal combustion engine vehicles, battery electric vehicles reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 47–70%, depending on the energy system. However, ethanol-fuelled vehicles in Brazil achieve emissions comparable to electric vehicles operating in fossil-intensive grids, highlighting low-carbon biofuels as a strong regional alternative. The proposed framework provides vital decision-support insights for designing context-specific transport policies based on regional fuel production.

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多种途径传输脱碳：跨不同能源系统的生物乙醇和电气化

交通运输脱碳对于实现净零出行至关重要，但缓解途径在全球各不相同。本研究采用温室气体、管制排放和技术中的能源使用（GREET）模型进行了区域生命周期评估，以调查不同能源系统如何影响巴西南部、英国（UK）和美国（USA）中西部地区20万公里车辆寿命的环境绩效。结果表明，脱碳途径不能普遍优先考虑，必须与区域网格特征保持一致。与汽油内燃机汽车相比，电池电动汽车可减少47-70%的温室气体排放，具体取决于能源系统。然而，在巴西，乙醇燃料汽车的排放量与在化石密集型电网中运行的电动汽车相当，这突显出低碳生物燃料是一个强大的地区替代品。提出的框架为设计基于区域燃料生产的特定环境运输政策提供了重要的决策支持见解。

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来源期刊

Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments Energy-Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

CiteScore

12.70

自引率

12.50%

发文量

1091

期刊介绍： Encouraging a transition to a sustainable energy future is imperative for our world. Technologies that enable this shift in various sectors like transportation, heating, and power systems are of utmost importance. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments welcomes papers focusing on a range of aspects and levels of technological advancements in energy generation and utilization. The aim is to reduce the negative environmental impact associated with energy production and consumption, spanning from laboratory experiments to real-world applications in the commercial sector.