Comparative sustainability assessment of battery electric and gasoline vehicles in Heilongjiang Province, China

The transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is a crucial step towards sustainable mobility, yet their comparative sustainability remains under explored, particularly in regions with unique climatic and energy conditions such as Heilongjiang Province, China. This study assesses the sustainability of BEVs versus gasoline vehicles (GVs) in Heilongjiang Province using a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) approach that integrates economic, environmental, and social dimensions into a unified monetary framework. The study evaluates the economic feasibility, environmental emissions, and social impacts of BEV adoption under the constraints of the Northeast Regional Power Grid, which is heavily reliant on non-renewable energy sources and subject to extreme temperature variations. The methodological approach involves Life Cycle Costing (LCC), Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA), and Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA), all of which are monetized for a comprehensive evaluation. Economic analysis indicates that BEVs achieve a cost advantage over GVs after five years of use, even in the absence of subsidies, primarily due to their lower operational costs. The environmental assessment reveals that, despite higher land transformation emissions, BEVs produce 22% lower total CO2 emissions per kilometer than GVs. However, their environmental advantage fluctuates with seasonal temperature variations and grid composition, with winter months showing a 15% increase in emissions due to reduced battery efficiency. Socially, while consumer environmental awareness is rising, BEVs still face challenges in perceived social value, particularly concerning infrastructure availability and resale value. The findings underscore the need for targeted policy interventions to enhance BEV adoption, including incentives for cleaner grid electricity and improved consumer perception of BEV social benefits. This research provides quantifiable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and academia, facilitating data-driven strategies for sustainable transportation transitions. By integrating economic, environmental, and social sustainability into a single monetary framework, the study offers a replaceable methodological blueprint for assessing vehicle sustainability in regions with complex energy and climatic conditions.

Text FPAS 2024 12 - Full Text.pdf Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (3MB) Text FPAS 2024 12.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (5MB)

Actions (login required)

View Item