Hybrid Electric Vehicles: Evaluating Emission Reductions and Cost Benefits for University Motor Vehicle Fleet

The University of Tennessee is considering replacing its entire 553 vehicle motor pool with hybrid electric vehicles. As a result the university has contracted a study to investigate the potential emission reduction benefits, fuel savings, and cost effectiveness of the plan. This paper summarizes the potential annual reductions in the emissions of particulate matter (PM), non-methane organic compounds (NMOG), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and formaldehyde (HCHO). The approach developed by the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department utilizes the emission factors and fuel economy results posted at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) web sites, and vehicle costs from the National Automobile Dealers Association web site. The cost benefits are calculated for a life cycle for the university?s vehicles. Comparable hybrid electric vehicles were selected for each different vehicle in the university?s motor vehicle fleet, including mid-sized cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks. The cost effectiveness was found to be very dependent on the vehicle type, how it is used, and the initial price of the comparable hybrid electric vehicle. The paper shows the most cost effective combinations for reducing air pollution emissions.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Yun, Jeongran
  • Miller, Terry L
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 86th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2007-1-21 to 2007-1-25
• Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: CD-ROM
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 20p
• Monograph Title: TRB 86th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers CD-ROM

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air quality management; Benefit cost analysis; Carbon monoxide; Electric vehicles; Formaldehyde; Hybrid vehicles; Life cycle costing; Methane; Nitrogen oxides; Particulates; Pollutants; Vehicle fleets
• Identifier Terms: University of Tennessee
• Uncontrolled Terms: Motor pools
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Finance; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I15: Environment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01043496
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 07-2598
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Feb 8 2007 7:18PM