The main pollutants emitted by Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) when charged from the grid are carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These emissions stem from the power plants generating the electricity used to charge the PHEV batteries.
Details of Emissions:
- CO2 and SO2 emissions increase due to the additional electricity demand from PHEV charging. Marginal CO2 emissions rates from generation induced by PHEV charging range between approximately 582 kg/MWh and 935 kg/MWh, while SO2 emissions range from about 0.9 kg/MWh to 1.2 kg/MWh.
- NOx emissions show a more complex pattern; during the ozone season, NOx emissions from generators actually decrease because PHEV charging allows load-shifting and improves generation efficiency. This shifts electricity demand from less efficient to more efficient generators, reducing the average incremental NOx emissions rate.
- The actual pollutant levels depend heavily on the carbon intensity and fuel mix of the local electricity grid where the vehicle is charged. Cleaner grids produce fewer emissions per kWh consumed by the PHEV battery.
In summary, the primary pollutants related to PHEV electricity charging are CO2 and SO2, with NOx emissions potentially decreasing seasonally due to load management benefits from PHEV charging flexibility. These emissions result from the power plants supplying electricity rather than the PHEVs themselves, which produce no tailpipe emissions when running on electric power.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-are-the-main-pollutants-emitted-by-phevs-when-charged-from-the-grid/
