Azero-emission vehicle (ZEV) is avehicle that does not emitexhaust gas or other pollutants from the onboard source of power.[1][2] The California definition also adds that this includes under any and all possible operational modes and conditions. This is because under cold-start conditions for example,internal combustion engines tend to produce the maximum amount of pollutants.[3] In a number of countries and states, transport is cited as the main source ofgreenhouse gases (GHG) and other pollutants. The desire to reduce this is thus politically strong.
Harmful pollutants to the health and the environment includeparticulates (soot),hydrocarbons,carbon monoxide,ozone,lead, and variousoxides of nitrogen. Although not considered emission pollutants by the originalCalifornia Air Resources Board (CARB) orU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) definitions, the most recent common use of the term also includesvolatile organic compounds, several toxic airborne compounds (such as1,3-Butadiene), and pollutants of global significance such ascarbon dioxide and othergreenhouse gases.[4]
Examples of zero-emission vehicle with different power sources can includemuscle-powered vehicles such asbicycles,electric bicycles, andgravity racers.
Also otherbattery electric vehicles, which may shift emissions to the location where the electricity is generated (if the electricity comes from coal or natural gas power plants—as opposed to hydro-electric,wind power,solar power or nuclear power plants);[5] andfuel cellvehicles powered by hydrogen, which may shift emissions to the location where the hydrogen is generated. It does not includehydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles because these do generate some emissions (althoughbeing near-emissionless). It also does not includevehicles running on 100% biofuel as these also emit exhaust gases, despite being carbon neutral overall.
Emissions from the manufacturing process are thus not included in this definition, and it has been argued that the emissions that are created during manufacture are currently of an order of magnitude that is comparable to the emissions that are created during a vehicle's operating lifetime.[6][7]
However, these vehicles are in the early stages of their development; the manufacturing emissions may decrease by the development of technology, industry, shifting toward mass production and the ever-increasing use ofrenewable energy throughout the supply-chains.
The term zero-emissions or ZEV, as originally coined by theCalifornia Air Resources Board (CARB), refers only tomotor vehicle emissions from the onboard source of power. Therefore, CARB's definition is accounting only for pollutants emitted at the point of the vehicle operation, and the clean air benefits are usually local because depending on the source of the electricity used to recharge the batteries, air pollutant emissions are shifted to the location of the electricity generation plants.[8] In a broader perspective, the electricity used to recharge the batteries must be generated from renewable or clean sources such aswind,solar,hydroelectric, ornuclear power for ZEVs to have almost none or zero well-to-wheel emissions.[8][9] In other words, if ZEVs are recharged from electricity generated by fossil fuel plants, they cannot be considered as zero emissions.[10]
However, the spread of electrical-powered vehicles can help the development of systems for charging the EV batteries from excess electricity which cannot be used otherwise. For instance, electricity demand is lowest at night and the excess generated electricity at this time can be used for recharging the EVs' batteries. It's worth mentioning that renewable sources such as wind turbines or solar panels are less controllable in terms of the amount of generated electricity compared to fossil fuel power plants; most renewable energy sources areintermittent energy sources. Therefore, development of these resources will lead to excess energy which can be better used by development of EVs.[11] Moreover, most EVs can benefit fromregenerative brakes and other optimization systems which increases theenergy efficiency in these vehicles.
Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) can help even more in terms of the development of sustainable energy sources because these cars use hydrogen as their fuel. Compressed hydrogen can be used as an energy storage element, while electricity must be stored in batteries. The hydrogen can be produced by electricity throughelectrolysis, and this electricity can come from green sources. Hydrogen can be produced in situ, e.g. excess at wind farm when the generated electricity is not needed, or it can be connected to the grid to use the excess electricity from the grid and produce electricity, e.g. at hydrogen pump stations. As a result, development of FCVs can be a big step toward sustainable development and reducing GHG emission in a long-term perspective.[12]
Other countries have a different definition of ZEV, noteworthy the more recent inclusion ofgreenhouse gases, as many European rules now regulate CO2 emissions. CARB's role in regulating greenhouse gases began in 2004 based on the 2002Pavley Act (AB 1493), but was blocked by lawsuits and by the EPA in 2007, by rejecting the required waiver. Additional responsibilities were granted to CARB by California'sGlobal Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), which includes the mandate to setlow-carbon fuel standards.[8]
As a result of an investigation into false advertising regarding "zero-emissions" claims, theAdvertising Standards Authority (ASA) in the UK ruled in March 2010 to ban an advertisement from Renault UK regarding its "zero-emission vehicles" because the ad breached CAP (Broadcast) TV Code rules 5.1.1, 5.1.2 (Misleading advertising) and 5.2.1 (Misleading advertising- Evidence) and 5.2.6 (Misleading advertising-Environmental claims.)[13]
Greenhouse gases and other pollutant emissions are generated by vehicle manufacturing processes. The emissions from manufacturing are many factors larger than the emissions from tailpipes, even in gasoline engine vehicles. Most reports on ZEVs' impact to the climate do not take into account these manufacturing emissions,[6][7] though over the lifetime of the car the emissions from manufacturing are relatively small.[14]
Considering the current[anachronism]U.S. energy mix, a ZEV would produce an average 58% reduction incarbon dioxide emissions per mile driven.[15] Given the current[anachronism]energy mixes in other countries, it has been predicted that such emissions would decrease by 40% in theU.K.[16] and 19% inChina.[17]
Apart fromanimal-powered andhuman-powered vehicles,battery electric vehicles (which includecars,aircraft and boats) also do not emit any of the above pollutants, nor any CO2 gases during use. This is a particularly important quality in densely populated areas, where thehealth of residents can be severely affected. However, the production of the fuels that power ZEVs, such as the production ofhydrogen fromfossil fuels, may produce more emissions per mile than the emissions produced from a conventional fossil fueled vehicle.[19] Awell-to-wheellife cycle assessment is necessary to understand the emissions implications associated with operating a ZEV.
![[icon]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aWiki_letter_w_cropped.svg) | This sectionneeds expansion. You can help byadding to it.(July 2017) |
In the mid-19th century, bicycle ownership became common (during thebike boom)—predating mass car ownership. In the 1960s, theFlying Pigeon bicycle became the single most popular mechanized vehicle on the planet. Some 210 million electric bikes are on the road in China.
Segway Personal Transporters are two-wheeled, self-balancing, battery-powered machines that are eleven times more energy-efficient than the average American car. Operating on two lithium-ion batteries, the Segway PT produces zero emissions during operation, and utilizes a negligible amount of electricity while charging via a standard wall outlet.[20]
Wind-powered land vehicles operating on wind exist (using wind turbines andkites). For boats and otherwatercraft,regular and special sails (asrotorsails,wing sails,turbo sails,skysails) exist that can propel them without emissions.
An electric aircraft is an aircraft powered by electric motors. Electricity may be supplied by a variety of methods including batteries, ground power cables, solar cells, ultracapacitors, fuel cells and power beaming. Between 2015 and 2016,Solar Impulse 2 completed a circumnavigation of the Earth using solar power.
| This sectionneeds expansion. You can help byadding to it.(June 2008) |
Japanesepublic transport is being driven in the direction of zero emissions due to growing environmental concern. Honda has launched a conceptual bus which features exercise machines to the rear of the vehicle to generatekinetic energy used for propulsion.
Due to the stop-start nature of idling in public transport,regenerative braking may be a possibility for public transport systems of the future.
In an attempt to curb carbonemissions as well asnoise pollution inSouth African cities, the South African Department of Science & Technology (DST), as well as other private investments, have made US$5 million available through theInnovation Fund for the development of the Joule. TheJoule is a five-seater car, planned to be released in 2014.[21] However the company ceased trading in 2012.
Several cities have implementedlow-emission zones. Launched in 2019 and set to expand in 2023, the implementation of London'sUltra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) incentivizes and accelerates the widespread adoption of cleaner vehicles through setting daily charge rates for driving vehicles that are non-compliant with ULEZ emission standards.[22] Oxford was the first city in Britainto introduce a zero emission zone in February 2022 where electric vehicles can enter free of charge while other vehicles can pay up to £10 to drive in the zone between 07:00 and 19:00.[23]
Aside from direct incentives towards zero emission vehicles, governments also introduce measures tophase out fossil fuel vehicles. This leaves zero emission vehicles as the main vehicle option available.
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