Analysis of Policies Aimed at Increasing Use of Natural Gas in the Transportation System

In this paper the authors examine the implications of leveling the vehicle fuel choice playing field between plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles in the US. Currently, US policy provides a subsidy of $7,500 for most PHEV vehicles but nothing for CNG vehicles. The authors use a modified version of the MARKAL-Macro model to evaluate the impacts on the transportation system, the general economy, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of maintaining only the PHEV subsidy or applying an equivalent subsidy to CNG vehicles. Some very interesting conclusions emerge from the analysis. In 2050 there are 36% more CNG internal combustion vehicles in the fleet if the CNG Light Duty Vehicles (LDV) subsidy is in effect compared with only the PHEV subsidy. On the other hand, if only the PHEV subsidy is in effect, there are 15% more of those vehicles compared to the case with the CNG LDV subsidy as well. Interestingly, the CNG subsidy also results in a reduction in GHG emissions relative to the case with only the PHEV subsidy. Oil imports also decrease with the CNG subsidy. Thus, the authors have documented that if a CNG subsidy were provided as is the case for PHEV. it would have important impacts on the transportation system.

• Record URL:
  http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/nextrans/assets/pdfs/new/108PUY2.1%20Analysis%20of%20Policies%20Aimed%20at%20Increasing%20Use%20of%20Natural%20Gas%20in%20the%20Transportation%20System_Final%20Report%20Tyner.pdf
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This research was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  Purdue University

  West Lafayette, IN  United States  47907-2051

  NEXTRANS

  Purdue University
  3000 Kent Avenue
  Lafayette, IN  United States  47906-1075

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Tyner, Wallace E
  • Sarica, Kemal
• Publication Date: 2016-2-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 23p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Compressed natural gas; Crude oil; Greenhouse gases; Imports; Plug-in hybrid vehicles; Subsidies; Transportation policy
• Identifier Terms: MARKAL-MACRO (Computer model)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Light duty vehicles
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Highways; Policy; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01616161
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: NEXTRANS Project No. DTRT12-G-UTC05
• Contract Numbers: DTRT07-G-005
• Files: UTC, TRIS, RITA, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Nov 9 2016 1:24PM