TY - JOUR
T1 - Environmental emission analysis of frugal electric vehicles from a life cycle perspective
T2 - A case study
AU - Cui, Dingsong
AU - Chen, Haibo
AU - Watling, David
AU - Liu, Ye
AU - Liu, Jin
AU - Wang, Chenxi
AU - Xu, Mengyuan
AU - Wang, Shuo
AU - Wang, Zhenpo
AU - Xu, Chengcheng
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Authors
PY - 2025/10/30
Y1 - 2025/10/30
N2 - Frugal electric vehicles (EV) are designed for lower energy consumption with lower battery capacity, but their life-cycle emissions have been overlooked in previous studies. Herein, this paper collects 2.38 million light-duty EV operational data to analyse usage patterns based on energy consumption, daily mileage and annual utilisation. By integrating 12 recognised usage patterns with 6 electricity mixes, the study assesses the emission reduction potential and trade-off period of frugal EVs compared to counterpart internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). The results show that about 70 % of frugal EV users would like to take a short daily travel with high utilisation rate and low energy consumption. From macro perspectives, CO2 and VOC emissions reductions are significant, while NOx, SOx, and PM are not achieved significant reductions. In terms of micro usage patterns, low-utilisation and low-daily travel result in less emission reduction opportunities. In general, about 79 % of frugal EVs can achieve the CO2 emission reduction compared to frugal ICEVs based on 12-year longevity simulation. 30 % and 30.3 % of frugal EVs can achieve PM2.5 and NOx emissions reductions in high clean electricity regions. In summary, this study provides insights for policymakers and manufacturers aiming to enhance the sustainability of frugal EVs.
AB - Frugal electric vehicles (EV) are designed for lower energy consumption with lower battery capacity, but their life-cycle emissions have been overlooked in previous studies. Herein, this paper collects 2.38 million light-duty EV operational data to analyse usage patterns based on energy consumption, daily mileage and annual utilisation. By integrating 12 recognised usage patterns with 6 electricity mixes, the study assesses the emission reduction potential and trade-off period of frugal EVs compared to counterpart internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). The results show that about 70 % of frugal EV users would like to take a short daily travel with high utilisation rate and low energy consumption. From macro perspectives, CO2 and VOC emissions reductions are significant, while NOx, SOx, and PM are not achieved significant reductions. In terms of micro usage patterns, low-utilisation and low-daily travel result in less emission reduction opportunities. In general, about 79 % of frugal EVs can achieve the CO2 emission reduction compared to frugal ICEVs based on 12-year longevity simulation. 30 % and 30.3 % of frugal EVs can achieve PM2.5 and NOx emissions reductions in high clean electricity regions. In summary, this study provides insights for policymakers and manufacturers aiming to enhance the sustainability of frugal EVs.
KW - Electricity mix
KW - Environmental benefits
KW - Frugal electric vehicles
KW - Life cycle assessment
KW - Usage patterns
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105012405960
U2 - 10.1016/j.energy.2025.137823
DO - 10.1016/j.energy.2025.137823
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105012405960
SN - 0360-5442
VL - 335
JO - Energy
JF - Energy
M1 - 137823
ER -