Environmental Benefits of Flexible Fuel Plug-Ins

Less Greenhouse Gases and Smog

Plug-in hybrids could give millions of American commuters a “gasoline-free” daily commute, slashing the amount of greenhouse gases and other pollutants being released into the environment.

The air quality benefits would be magnified if plug-in hybrids were combined with already existing flexible fuel technology. Flexible fuel plug-in hybrids would also benefit American agriculture.

Additionally, plug-in hybrids, like conventional hybrids, don’t idle when sitting still. Estimates are that in urban driving, idling translates to about 10%-15% of total vehicle carbon emissions.

Utilities Have the Electric Capacity

Over 40% of the generating capacity in the U.S. sits idle or operates at a reduced load overnight, when most PHEVs would be charged. That means tens of millions of plug-ins could be charged every night without the need to build additional electric generation capacity. For example, Southern California Edison, an investor-owned utility, estimates that 4 million plug-in hybrids could be charged without exceeding its existing peak load. Millions more could be fueled within existing capacity.

Emissions Decrease With Hybridization

Well-to-Wheels Greenhouse Gas Emissions Source: Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)

The “well-to-wheels” data is based on the electricity being generated by natural gas-fired combined cycle turbines. According to EPRI, natural gas plants adapt the easiest to marginal increases in power demand.

* The EPRI study group included The California Air Resources Board; the Department of Energy and two of its national labs (National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory); General Motors; Ford; South Coast Air Quality Management District; the University of California Hybrid Vehicle Center; Southern California Edison; New York Power Authority and Southern Company.

PHEVs Increase Development of Wind Energy

In the case of Austin Energy and that of many other utilities, the use of flexible fuel PHEVs will mean harnessing more wind power. A significant portion of Austin Energy’s wind power comes from the West Texas wind at night during off peak times. This electricity cannot currently be stored. Since PHEVs will be charged mostly at night, plug-in hybrid batteries could serve as storage until the car is used. This could lead to increased development of wind energy.

Emission Comparisons: Wind-driven Electric Gallon of Gasoline Table data based on 12,500 miles/year

What if the power were generated by coal?

As discussed above, natural gas will likely be used to fuel plug-in hybrids where available because natural gas plants adapt best to marginal increases in load. Also, wind power works well for plug-ins because much wind electricity is generated at night when plug-ins would be charged.

Further studies are being done on the cumulative emissions impact if electricity for plug-in hybrids is generated by coal. It is already apparent, however, that powering plug-ins, even with coal, would be cleaner in almost every area of the country, if not every area.
Additionally, emissions would be concentrated in one location that is often away from critically-endangered air sheds. Also, it is less difficult to control emissions from a relatively few number of smokestacks rather than millions of vehicle tail pipes. And, efforts to clean up coal plants and other emissions will continue.

In fact, over the last 25 years emissions from U.S. power plants have decreased by 25%. This has been done through retiring old power plants and incorporating cleaner generation technologies. This trend is expected to continue so emissions will continue to get cleaner over time, meaning emissions generated from electric transportation will get cleaner over time.