Transportation emissions scenarios for New York City under different carbon intensities of electricity and electric vehicle adoption rates.

ABSTRACT: Like many cities around the world, New York City is establishing policies to reduce CO₂ emissions from all energy sectors by 2050. Understanding the impact of varying degrees of electric vehicle adoption and CO₂ intensities on emissions reduction in the city is critical. Here, using a technology-rich, bottom-up, energy system optimization model, we analyse the cost and air emissions impacts of New York City's proposed CO₂ reduction policies for the transportation sector through a scenario framework. Our analysis reveals that the electrification of light-duty vehicles at earlier periods is essential for deeper reductions in air emissions. When further combined with energy efficiency improvements, these actions contribute to CO₂ reductions under the scenarios of more CO₂-intense electricity. Substantial reliance on fossil fuels and a need for structural change pose challenges to cost-effective CO₂ reductions in the transportation sector. Here we find that uncertainties associated with decarbonization of the electric grid have a minimum influence on the cost-effectiveness of CO₂ reduction pathways for the transportation sector.

SUBMITTER: Isik M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8597912 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature