Smart Transportation:

Transcription

1 by Laura Schewel and Daniel M. Kammen Smart Transportation:

2 Synergizing Electrified Vehicles and Mobile Information Systems

3 Plug-in vehicles include both fully electric vehicles, such as the Tesla Roadster or the older EV1, and vehicles that use electricity as part of the energy source, such as the Chevrolet Volt. This definition does not include vehicles such as the Prius hybrid that stores mechanical energy in a battery. Figure 1: Breakdown of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from energy, Transportation was responsible for 32% of these emissions, compared to electricity s 43%. Lessons from the Smart Grid 26 ENVIRONMENT VOLUME 52 NUMBER 5

4 Smart Transportation Research and Technologies Table 1: Summary of the major types/configurations of plug-in vehicles Range (varies Availablity date; Vehicle type depending On or near projected 2011 (acronym) How it works How to fuel on model) market examples U.S. production Internal Combustion Combusts gasoline in engine Gas station ~450 mi (gas) Ford F-150 Now Engine (ICE) (this is a traditional gasoline vehicle). Hybrid Electric Combusts gasoline in engine and Gas station ~450 mi (gas) Ford Escape Now; Vehicle (HEV) recaptures some of the energy otherwise Hybrid, 300, ,000 wasted in braking, going downhill. Toyota Prius The vehicle stores this wasted energy in a small battery and reuses it later. Battery Electric Converts electricity to motion via a Plug in ~100 mi Nissan Leaf, Winter 2010; Vehicle (BEV) motor. No gasoline or diesel used. (electric) Tesla Roadster, ~25,000 Ford Focus EV Extended Range Has both a battery and gasoline engine Plug in and ~500 mi Chevy Volt Winter 2010 Electric Vehicle on board. Uses energy from battery first, gas station (40 on electric, 10,000 (EREV) then when battery depleted, uses gasoline. then 450 on gas) (60,000 by 2012) Plug-in Hybrid Has both a battery and gasoline engine Plug in and ~500 mi Toyota Prius Electric Vehicle on board. Switches between the two fuels gas station (gas + electric) Plug-in Test run of (PHEV) depending on driving conditions to <1000 in 2011 optimize efficiency. Neighborhood A form of BEV with a smaller battery Plug in ~40 miles GEM e6, ZENN Now; Unknown Electric Vehicle and limited maximum speed (electric) production (NEV) (often 45 mpg). Restricted to low-speed roads. Fuel Cell Stores energy in the form of hydrogen Refuel with Unknown None Unknown Electric Vehicle and uses a fuel cell to convert this energy hydrogen (FCEV) into motion. There are several different configurations of electrified vehicles (EV). This table gives a summary of the major types. The actual range of each type of EV will vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle. Vehicle types highlighted in the darker shade are the main focus of EV policy, business, and development, as well as this article. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER ENVIRONMENT 27

5 Smart Transportation and Electrified Vehicles Figure 2: A Smart Transportation technology: EZPass in New Jersey. Barriers to Plug-in Vehicles 28 ENVIRONMENT VOLUME 52 NUMBER 5

6 Virtual Test Drive Figure 3a: Steps to use Virtual Electrified Vehicle Test Drive. Figure 3b: Virtual Electrified Vehicle Test Drive educational interface. Users log data from their vehicles, then visit the Web site to learn about how they drive and get recommendations on what vehicles and techniques could reduce gasoline usage, saving money and pollution. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER ENVIRONMENT 29

7 There are many ways to get smart-enabling data from individual vehicles to secure systems that can process the data for the benefit of individual drivers and system planners and operators. The major categories are: In-vehicle mobile systems, installed by the manufacturer: These devices are installed in the vehicle before purchase. They can read data from the vehicle s on-board computer (including information about engine performance, maintenance, vehicle condition, airbag deployment, etc.). Their capability can be coupled with GPS and a cellular connection. The devices are used for navigation, safety (such as automatically calling emergency vehicles in the case of an airbag deployment), early maintenance warnings, etc. Examples include GM OnStar. The devices usually cost a small fee (as an option at purchase time) and also include a monthly cellular fee to maintain service. After market on-board diagnostic devices: These devices can be purchased independently, and installed by plugging into the vehicle s onboard diagnostic port (usually near the left knee of the driver). The devices sometimes include GPS and cellular signaling technology. The devices are used to log data about engine performance and maintenance issues. Some insurance companies have begun to place them in cars to enable pay-permile insurance, as well as to develop rates based on safe driving characteristics. Many commercial fleet operators use these to track company cars and drivers performance and location. Devices can cost between $50 to $600 (depending on presence of cellular and GPS capabilities) as well as a monthly cellular service fee. Smart phone apps: Most smart phones (such as the iphone, Android, or Blackberry) contain GPS and accelerometer capabilities, allowing them to provide the locational services associated with the above devices. In addition, several devices exist that can plug into a vehicle s on-board diagnostic port and send a wireless signal to a smart phone. The smart phone then links the data with the relevant GPS coordinates and can send the data using the phone s existing cellular contract. Several apps have emerged for Smart Transportation using both the location/accelerometer features alone, or combining them with the wireless connection to the vehicle s computer. Apps cost anywhere from $0 to $20, and wireless onboard transmitters cost from $50 to $200. Remote sensing devices: These devices sit in a vehicle and are logged when the vehicle passes close by a sensor. The most common example is EZPass or FasTrak devices that log when an individual car goes through a toll booth for automatic tolling. Devices cost little money and usually have no associated fees (beyond, of course, the tolls). Environmental Impacts of Plug-in Vehicles 30 ENVIRONMENT VOLUME 52 NUMBER 5

8 Fuel and Operations Recent studies have found that education can significantly increase consumer interest in purchasing an alternative vehicle by numbers ranging from 2 to 30 percent. Manufacture SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER ENVIRONMENT 31

9 Figure 4: Comparison of lifetime greenhouse gas emissions from different types of vehicles (~150,000 mile lifetime). EV greenhouse gas benefit depends on the comparison vehicle and the carbon content of the electricity it uses. 32 ENVIRONMENT VOLUME 52 NUMBER 5

10 Figure 5: Cumulative greenhouse gas emissions savings from a fleet of 11.2 million plug-in vehicles sold between 2010 and 2020 under three scenarios (5% of current fleet). Maximum cumulative savings are ~45 M metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2009, the U.S. emitted ~ 7000 M metric tons. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER ENVIRONMENT 33

11 A Prescription for Policymakers 34 ENVIRONMENT VOLUME 52 NUMBER 5

12 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER ENVIRONMENT 35