Deep decarbonization from electrified autonomous taxi fleets: Life cycle assessment and case study in Austin, TX. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gawron, James H.; Keoleian, Gregory A.; De Kleine, Robert D.; Wallington, Timothy J.; Kim, Hyung Chul
• Is Part Of: Transportation research. Volume 73(2019)
• Page Start: 130
• Page End: 141
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Life cycle assessment -- GHG emissions -- Autonomous taxi -- Shared autonomous vehicle -- Connected and automated vehicle -- Fleet turnover; Transportation -- Research -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 354.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2019.06.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1361-9209

Abstract

Highlights: Indirect effects of autonomous vehicles are quantified at the mobility system level. Higher utilization results in fuel efficiency gains due to faster fleet turnover. Longer vehicle lifetimes reduce production burden per mile through amortization. Autonomous taxis can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from urban person travel by 87%. Abstract: Although recent studies of autonomous taxis (ATs) have begun to explore potential environmental implications of fleet deployment, little is known about their impacts over the long term. We present a life-cycle assessment framework that incorporates both direct and indirect effects of ATs at the subsystem, vehicle, and mobility-system levels. Eco-driving and intersection connectivity are the direct effects analyzed along with indirect effects that include empty kilometers, parking, charging infrastructure, powertrain rightsizing, electric vehicle adoption, ride-sharing, and fleet-turnover rates. A case study of an AT fleet in Austin, Texas from 2020 to 2050 with constant travel demand indicates the strategic deployment of an electrified AT fleet can reduce cumulative energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 60% in the base case, with a majority of this benefit resulting from electrified powertrains. Further reductions up to 87% can be achieved with accelerated electrical grid decarbonization, dynamic ride-share, longer vehicle lifetime, more energy efficient computer systems, and faster fuel efficiency improvements for new vehicles. We highlight the major opportunities for maximizing the environmental performance of AT fleets over the long term.