Well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions assessment for diesel and battery electric bus fleets based at the Technical University of Havana

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Abstract

Electric and hybrid powertrains are currently regarded as a set of more promising technologies for propulsion of vehicles with potential to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions from road transport. More cities are introducing their first electrified routes and system as pilot projects. However it is important the recognise the CO2e intensity of electricity mix of each country. This study assesses the ‘‘Well-to-Wheel” (WTW) GHG emissions impact of replacing diesel bus fleet (DB) with battery electric bus (BEB) fleet in the Technical University of Havana (CUJAE). The WTW framework applied here considers both direct emissions from fuel combustion, as well as upstream emissions from fuel production and transport. The study includes the recharging of the BEB fleet using an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) generation set, fed with landfill gas (LFG) from municipal solid waste (MSW) site near the University. The study also models recharging using the Cuban 2022 and future 2030 electric grid scenarios. The results show that there is a 595 gCO2e/kWh reduction in WTW GHG emission when compared DB fleet to BEB fleet recharging from LFG genset when the lowest possible WTW emission values are applied. Then a 762 and 682 gCO2e/kWh WTW GHG reduction when comparing DB with BEB fleet due to recharging from 2022 and the future 2030 Cuban electricity mix scenarios respectively. The study does not include an analysis of the global warming potential for reduction of methane from the LFG which would also support the shift to electric bus systems in place of diesel fleets.