Work

Balancing biofuels and electrification: Carbon neutrality pathways of Brazilian light vehicle fleet

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This study evaluated pathways for Brazil’s light vehicle fleet to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, considering local benefits and existing technologies. Four scenarios explore government policies promoting biofuels and/or electrification. Results indicate a 74% increase in emissions under Business as Usual (BAU), requiring vast land for offsetting, versus a 62% reduction with Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Biofuels. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) projections diverge by 2030, with higher costs for full electrification by 2050. Abatement costs favor the biofuels approach economically, emphasizing ethanol’s role as a carbon sink. Prioritizing plug-in hybrid vehicles with ethanol could leverage existing infrastructure and reduce battery imports, smoothing the transition to full electrification. The study highlights the economic and environmental trade-offs in Brazil’s journey to carbon neutrality, advocating for a balanced approach integrating biofuels and electrification to maximize benefits and ensure sustainability in the automotive sector.

Source: Transportation Research Part D Transport and Environment

DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2024.104566

Authors: Paulo Sergio Pinheiro Lima, Joaquim Eugênio Abel Seabra, Marcelo Pereira Cunha

Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)

Language: English

Topic: Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Responsible consumption and production, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,100