Adoption of green fleets: An economic and environmental life cycle assessment of light duty electric vehicle fleets

This study assesses regional characteristics of fleet vehicles within New England calculating total cost of ownership (TCO) and greenhouse gas (GHG). Inventory for battery electric vehicles (BEV), extended mileage battery electric vehicles (BEV+), plug in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and internal combustion vehicles (ICV) light duty fleet vehicles is based on New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) fleet characteristics. This analysis was conducted using empirical data from the State of New Hampshire and University of New Hampshire fleets, ISO-New England (ISO-NE) grid data, and peer reviewed literature to capture the impacts of regional driving characteristics, energy grid, and climate. With 2019 gasoline and electricity prices, results show the HEV has the lowest lifetime TCO, $2,709.88 less than the second lowest vehicle. The PHEV is shown to cost $1,082.86 dollars less than the ICV while the BEVs total costs are $233.65 greater. All vehicle technologies show major reductions in fuel and operations and maintenance (O&M) costs compared to the ICV, specifically under the high mileage of State of New Hampshire fleet vehicles. The BEV shows the largest GHG abatement potential by emitting .17kg/mile CO2e, representing a 54% decrease below the ICV. This study indicates both PHEVs and BEVs are cost competitive with ICVs while providing substantial GHG emission abatement while the HEV is determined to have the lowest TCO amongst all vehicles along with 33% GHG abatement.