BATTERY PERFORMANCE Ambient temperatures can affect the battery performance of electric vehicles. Cold weather slows the chemical and physical reactions that make batteries work, leading to longer charging times and a temporary reduction in range. Conversely, higher temperatures generally lead to faster chemical and physical reactions. In addition, low or elevated temperatures can initiate the use of electric air conditioning or heating systems, which can draw significant amounts of battery power – with an accompanying reduction in driving range. Topography also has a strong influence on energy consumption and battery operation as well. On an uphill grade, all vehicles expend more energy than when traveling on level ground. Energy consumption for electric vehicles tends to steadily increase as road grade increases. BATTERY WEIGHT AND CARGO CAPACITY Battery weight may substantially limit the long-haul capabilities of a BEV, leading to a need for more BEV vehicles to carry the same amount of cargo. Those carriers operating closer to the maximum allowable weight will likely have to modify their operations if they wish to use long-haul battery electric vehicles. Reducing CO2 Truck Emissions ATRI’s analysis concludes by identifying additional strategies that can reduce CO2 truck emissions for all three energy sources – diesel, electricity and hydrogen. For example, renewable diesel could decrease CO2 emissions to only 32.7 percent of a standard diesel engine without requiring new infrastructure or truck equipment. Hydrogen sourced from solar-power electricity could enable hydrogen fuel cell trucks to emit only 8.8 percent of the baseline diesel CO2. Overall, the three truck types studied in this report have a pathway for lowering CO2 emissions in the coming decades. Research is needed to improve upon CO2 reduction efforts, and specifically to lower energy source CO2. While public policy is currently focused on moving the industry toward BEV, this research shows that even greater truck CO2 emission reductions can be achieved through other approaches. Realities of Zero-Emission Trucks Continued Vehicle, Trailer and Cargo Weight WEIGHT TYPE (lbs.) ICE BEV FCEV Tractor Weight 18,216 32,016 21,337 Trailer Weight 11,264 11,264 11,264 Average Cargo Weight 32,811 32,811 32,811 Total Weight 62,291 76,091 65,412 Remaining Available Cargo Weight 17,709 3,909 14,588 4,000,000 ICE - Diesel (Baseline) 3,500,000 3,000,000 2,500,000 2,000,000 1,500,000 1,000,000 500,000 – Lifetime CO2 (Lbs.) BEV FCEV BEV 2050 ICE - Renewable Diesel FCEV Solar HTSE 100.0% 70.0% 55.4% 51.2% 32.7% 8.8% For a copy of the full report, please visit ATRI’s website at TruckingResearch.org Potential CO2 Emissions Reduction Options n Vehicle Production CO 2 n Energy CO 2 n Disposal/Recycling CO 2
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