8-4-4 CO₂ Emissions Reduction Potential of Battery Electric Vehicles and Lightweighting in the Japanese Passenger Car Fleet

Abstract

A car stock model is used to study the CO₂ emissions reduction potential of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), downsizing and lightweight materials use in the Japanese passenger car fleet. Vehicle types include internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and BEVs; available in three vehicle size classes, normal, compact and mini-sized cars; and two glider types, conventional and lightweight. BEVs can reduce well-to-wheel CO₂ emissions by 69.6% compared with the 2050 baseline values. The largest CO₂ emissions reductions are achieved with mini-sized lightweight BEVs, 76.1% compared with the 2050 baseline values. Lightweighting increases CO₂ emissions reductions achieved with BEV diffusion. Furthermore, downsizing reduces significantly the incremental cost of BEVs.