Should BEVs be subsidized or taxed? A European perspective based on the economic value of CO₂ emissions

Battery Electric vehicles (BEVs) are generally considered as potentially contributing to the reduction of CO₂ emissions. Consequently, many countries have promoted (or are in the process of promoting) policies aimed at directly or indirectly subsidizing BEVs to accelerate their market uptake. The aim of this paper is to assess whether BEVs’ subsidies are justified (and by what amount) with reference to the carbon component, distinguishing by car segments and countries. To address these research questions, a simulation model is developed, based on the most recent and reliable data available. The model estimates and monetizes the Well-to-Wheel CO₂ emissions of six car segments in 28 European countries. The monetary value of the difference of the CO₂ emissions between the non-BEVs and the BEVs ranges from −€1133 (tax) to +€3192 (subsidy), depending on the car segment and on the nation considered. These results are then compared to the policies about alternative fuels adopted by the single EU countries, suggesting in some cases the necessity to rethink such incentives.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2017.07.017
• Record URL:
  • http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1361920916307623
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13619209
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Cavallaro, Federico
  • Danielis, Romeo
  • Nocera, Silvio
  • 0000-0001-8891-6459
  • Rotaris, Lucia
• Publication Date: 2018-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 70-89
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment
  • Volume: 64
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 1361-9209
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13619209

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternate fuels; Alternatives analysis; Carbon dioxide; Economic analysis; Electric vehicles; Life cycle analysis; Policy; Pollutants; Subsidies
• Geographic Terms: Europe
• Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Environment; Highways; Policy; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01684248
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 25 2018 5:14PM