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Zero-emissions vehicle

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The GEM xLXD Neighborhood Electric Vehicle is a zero-emissions vehicle, Washington, D.C.

A zero-emissions vehicle, or ZEV, is a vehicle that emits no tailpipe pollutants from the onboard source of power.[1][2] Harmful pollutants to the health and the environment include particulates (soot), hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, ozone, lead, and various oxides of nitrogen. Although not considered emission pollutants by the original California Air Resources Board (CARB) or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) definitions, the most recent common use of the term also includes volatile organic compounds, several air toxics, and global pollutants such as carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.[3] Examples of zero emission vehicles include muscle-powered vehicles such as bicycles; electric vehicle Battery electric vehicle; and fuel cell vehicles powered by hydrogen.

Terminology

The Indian REVA electric car is a zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) sold in India, several European countries, Japan, Australia, and Costa Rica.
The Honda FCX Clarity launched in 2008 is a fuel cell hydrogen vehicle compliant with the ZEV standard and it is sold in Japan and in the U.S. (only in Los Angeles).

Well-to-wheel emissions

The term zero-emissions or ZEV, as originally coined by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), refers only to tailpipe pollutants from the onboard source of power. Therefore CARB's definition is accounting only for pollutants emitted at the point of the vehicle operation, and the clean air benefits are usually local because depending on the source of the electricity used to recharge the batteries, air pollutant emissions may be shifted to the location of the electricity generation plants.[4]

In a similar manner, a zero-emissions vehicle does not emit greenhouse gases from the onboard source of power at the point of operation, but a well-to-wheel assessment takes into account the carbon dioxide and other emissions produced during electricity generation, and therefore, the extent of the real benefit depends on the fuel and technology used for electricity generation. From the perspective of a full life cycle analysis, the electricity used to recharge the batteries must be generated from renewable or clean sources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric , or nuclear power for ZEVs to have almost none or zero well-to-wheel emissions.[4][5] On the other hand, when ZEVs are recharged from electricity exclusively generated by coal-fired plants, they usually produce slightly more greenhouse gas emissions than internal combustion engine vehicles.[4]

Other countries have a different definition of ZEV, noteworthy the more recent inclusion of greenhouse gases, as many European rules now regulate carbon dioxide CO2 emissions. CARB role in regulating greenhouse gases began in 2004 based on the 2002 Pavley Act (AB 1493), but blocked by lawsuits and by EPA in 2007, by rejecting the required waiver. Additional responsibilities were granted to CARB by California's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), which includes the mandate to set low-carbon fuel standards.[4]

As a result of alleged false "zero-emissions" claims, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in the UK ruled in March 2010 to ban an advertisement from Renault UK regarding it's "zero-emissions vehicles" because the ad breached CAP (Broadcast) TV Code rules 5.1.1, 5.1.2 (Misleading advertising) and 5.2.1 (Misleading advertising- Evidence) and 5.2.6 (Misleading advertising-Environmental claims.)[6]

Considering the current U.S. energy mix, a ZEV would produce a 30% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.[7][8][9] Given the current energy mixes in other countries, it has been predicted that such emissions would decrease by 40% in the U.K.,[10] 19% inChina,[11] and just 1% in Germany.[12][13]

Zero-emissons AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle)

Technological development by TTS Port Equipment in Gothenburg, Sweden and with research partners in Lausanne, Switzerland have adapted a ground-based contactless energy transfer technology that is referred to as inductive energy. The use of the inductive energy technology has enable the company to develop an energy chain, which achieves zero emissions. [1]

This contactless energy transfer technology contains ground-based and vehicle-based components. The power electronics element and the "coils" enable an AGV to receive energy from the coils that are ground based. The vehicle employs super capacitors to store the energy, which is then consumed by electric motors located in the wheels. The vehicle is developed for terminals, such as container terminals. Currently, the Z-AGV is tested in a site in Lausanne, Switzerland with future plans to be employed in automated container terminals, such as those found in Rotterdam and Hamburg.[14]

The Z-AGVs have a load capacity of 61 tonnes, and can carry cassettes with double-stacked 40-foot containers or two 20-foot containers in a single tier. Due to the use of electric motors the maneuverability have been made by incorporating individual electrically driven and steered bogie axles which enable the Z-AGVs to be moved in any direction and turn through 360 degrees. The C-AGV can be steered conventionally or ‘crab’ diagonally, or it can move completely transversally. The cassette designs enable the C-AGV to enter and exit both transversally and longitudinally, which allows decoupling at the quayside.[15]

Types of zero-emission vehicles

The Nissan Leaf electric car is a zero emission vehicle (ZEV) that will be launched in the market by the end of 2010.

Ordinary bicycles, recumbent bicycles, and other derivatives as velomobiles, cabin cycles and freight bicycles are probably the most well known zero-emissions transport surface vehicles.

Besides these human-powered vehicles, animal powered vehicles and battery electric vehicles (which besides cars also feature aircraft, electric boats, ...) also do not emit any of the above pollutants, nor any CO2 gases during use. Of course, this is a particularly important quality in densely populated areas, where the health of residents can be severely affected. However, the production of the fuels that power ZEVs, such as the production of hydrogen from fossil fuels, may produce more emissions per mile than the emissions produced from a conventional gasoline powered vehicle. A well-to-wheel life cycle assessment is necessary to understand the emissions implications associated with operating a ZEV.

Other zero emission vehicle technologies include plug-in hybrids (eg ICE/electric battery) when in electric mode, some plug-in hybrids in both recharging and electric mode (eg fuel cell/electric battery], compressed air engine/electric battery), liquid nitrogen vehicles, hydrogen vehicles (utilizing fuel cells or converted internal combustion engines), and compressed air vehicles typically recharged by slow (home) or fast (road station) electric compressors, flywheel energy storage vehicles, solar powered cars, and tribrids.

Segway Personal Transporters are two-wheeled, self-balancing, battery-powered machines that are eleven times more energy-efficient than the average American car. Operating on two lithium-ion batteries, the Segway PT produces zero emissions during operation, and utilizes a negligible amount of electricity while charging via a standard wall outlet.[16]

Finally, especially for boats (although ground vessels operating on wind exist) and other watercraft, regular and special sails (as rotorsails, wing sails, turbo sails, skysails exist that can propel it emissionless. Also, for larger ships (as tankers, container vessels, ...), nuclear power is also used (though not commonly).

Current vehicles in common public transport

Electric trains, High-speed rail, subways, sail-powered boats, trolleybuses, trams, electric buses, and cycle rickshaws.

Current vehicles in common private transport

Electric cars, electric boats, sail-powered boats, bicycles, recumbent bicycles, velomobiles, cabin cycles, freight bicycles

Incentives

See also: Subsidies and tax incentives by country

Subsidies for public transport

Japanese public transport is being driven in the direction of zero emissions due to growing environmental concern. Honda has launched a conceptual bus which features exercise machines to the rear of the vehicle to generate kinetic energy used for propulsion.

Due to the stop-start nature of idling in public transport, regenerative braking may be a possibility for public transport systems of the future. After all, public transport costs councils money, so money well spent on saving fuel is money saved.

Subsidies for development of electric cars

In an attempt to curb carbon emissions as well as noise pollution in South African cities, the South African Department of Science & Technology (DST), as well as other private investments, have made US$5 million available through the Innovation Fund for the development of the Joule. The Joule is a six seater car, planned to be released in 2014.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ California Air Resources Board (2009-03-09). "Glossary of Air Pollution Terms: ZEV". Retrieved 2009-04-21.
  2. ^ Christine & Scott Gable. "What is a ZEV - Zero Emissions Vehicle?". About.com: Hybrid Carts & Alt Fuels. Retrieved 2008-04-21.
  3. ^ Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center. "Alternative & Advanced Vehicles: Pollutants and Health". Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, US DOE. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
  4. ^ a b c d Sperling, Daniel and Deborah Gordon (2009). Two billion cars: driving toward sustainability. Oxford University Press, New York. pp. 22 to 26. ISBN 978-0-19-537664-7.
  5. ^ David B. Sandalow, ed. (2009). Plug-In Electric Vehicles: What Role for Washington? (1st. ed.). The Brookings Institution. pp. 2–5. ISBN 978-0-8157-0305-1.
  6. ^ ASA Adjudication on Renault UK Ltd
  7. ^ "Plug-in Hybrid Cars: Chart of CO2 Emissions Ranked by Power Source". TreeHugger. Retrieved 2010-04-18.
  8. ^ http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oiaf/1605/cdrom/pdf/e-supdoc.pdf
  9. ^ "Electric Power Monthly -Table 1.1. Net Generation by Energy Source". Eia.doe.gov. Retrieved 2010-04-18.
  10. ^ "Less CO2". My Electric Car. Retrieved 2010-04-18.
  11. ^ http://www.mckinsey.com/locations/greaterchina/mckonchina/pdfs/China_Charges_Up.pdf
  12. ^ ...the four electric vehicles analysed in this study consume around 1.7 times less primary energy and generate less than half the CO2 of a Toyota Prius...http://www.going-electric.org/docs/studies/CO2-energy-electric-vehicles.pdf
  13. ^ Palm, Erik (2009-05-01). "Study: Electric cars not as green as you think | Green Tech - CNET News". News.cnet.com. Retrieved 2010-04-18.
  14. ^ http://www.worldcargonews.com/htm/nf20081119.960804.htm
  15. ^ http://www.ttsgroup.com/Articles/Inductive-Energy-Transfer/
  16. ^ Whitepaper "The Role of the Segway PT in Emissions Reduction"
  17. ^ http://www.optimalenergy.co.za

External links

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