Estimating the Deep Decarbonization Benefits of the Electric Mobility Transition: A Review of Managed Charging Strategies and Second-Life Battery Uses Matthew D. Dean1 and Kara M. Kockelman, Ph.D., P.E.2 1Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station (Mail Code C1761), Austin, TX 78712; email:
[email protected] 2Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station (Mail Code C1761), Austin, TX 78712; email:
[email protected] ABSTRACT Emissions-reduction pathways in transportation are often characterized as a “three-legged stool”, where vehicle efficiency, fuel carbon content, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) contribute to lower emissions. The electric mobility (e-mobility) transition provides fast savings since plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) are nearly three times more energy efficient than internal combustion engines (ICEs) and most nations’ power grids are lowering their carbon intensity irrespective of any further climate policy. The transportation sector’s greenhouse gas (GHG) savings via electrification are subject to many variables – such as power plant feedstocks, vehicle charging locations and schedules, vehicle size and weight, driver behavior, and annual mileage, which are described in existing literature. Savings will also depend on emerging innovations, such as managed charging (MC) strategies and second-life battery use in energy storage systems (B2U- ESS). This paper’s review of MC strategies and B2U-ESS applications estimates additional GHG savings to be up to 33% if chargers are widely available for MC-enabled passenger cars, and up to 100% if B2U-ESS abates peaker plants over its second-use lifetime.