back to all publications

Impacts of Geographic Variation on Aluminum Lightweighted Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions

CSS Publication Number
CSS13-25
Full Publication Date
December 13, 2013
Abstract

Increasing fuel prices, environmental concerns, and fuel efficiency regulations are precipitating the adoption of new vehicle construction and propulsion technologies that are sensitive to location of vehicle production and use. This sensitivity to location stands in contrast to the dominant vehicle technologies of the last 100 years. Plug-in hybrid electric powertrains and lightweight automotive aluminum are especially location sensitive as vehicle battery charging and aluminum production consume large amounts of electricity from a geographically variable electricity grid. This thesis focused on the impact of geographic variation on lifetime greenhouse gas emissions of aluminum lightweighted plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. We conducted a high resolution characterization of U.S. primary aluminum production, paying special attention to the methods used to allocate consumed electricity emissions, and performed a case study in which a plug-in hybrid vehicle’s conventional steel hood was lightweighted with aluminum. By understanding the impact of regional variations in material production and vehicle use, we wish to inform decision makers of potential hotspots within their vehicle design and material supply chain strategies. This information can help direct attention to the most impactful parts of the vehicle’s lifecycle and ensure that strategies designed to lower the lifetime greenhouse gas emissions of personal transport have the desired effect.

Research Areas
Mobility Systems
Transportation
Keywords

aluminum, electricity, greenhouse gas, plug-in hybrid

Publication Type
Master's Thesis
Digital Object Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/101902
Full Citation

Colett, Joseph S. (2013) “Impacts of Geographic Variation on Aluminum Lightweighted Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” Master's Thesis, University of Michigan: Ann Arbor 1-49.