Work

Aligning vehicle electrification with power sector transitions: life cycle insights across diverse grids

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are central to transport decarbonization, but their climate performance depends on the grid’s carbon intensity, which varies regionally and evolves over time. This study applies a temporal Life Cycle Assessment framework to quantify the greenhouse gas emissions of BEVs relative to hybrid and combustion vehicles across five regions through 2035. Results show large regional variation: BEV emissions range from ~198 gCO₂e/km in the EU to ~351 gCO₂e/km in India. Breakeven distances range from 32,000 to 124,000 km, with high utilization accelerating payback. We highlight three contributions: (i) quantifying conditional BEV performance under regional decarbonization pathways, (ii) incorporating carbon-intensive regions like the Middle East and North Africa, and (iii) linking findings to policy triggers including grid-indexed incentives, utilization targeting, and technology-neutral procurement. These insights support context-sensitive deployment and challenge the assumption that e-mobility is uniformly green, particularly when vehicle use, power-sector transitions, and regional readiness are misaligned.

Source: npj Sustainable Mobility and Transport

DOI: 10.1038/s44333-025-00076-y

Authors: Michael Samsu Koroma, Abdulrahman Alwosheel

Institution: King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center

Language: English

Topic: Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

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

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,590