Study: Plug-in cars would clear air in Mile High City

Costs and Emissions Associated with Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Charging in the Xcel Energy Colorado Service Territory

nrel-hybrids-w-solarCompletely replacing gasoline vehicles with plug-in hybrids would dramatically improve the air quality in Denver, Colo., a large urban area with 1.7 million vehicles, according to a study published in the most recent volume of Environmental Science & Technology, a peer-reviewed scholarly journal.

Researchers at the University of Colorado, Boulder and the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) in Golden, Colo. authored the study.

{module 194}

The study showed that 100 percent PHEV penetration in the Denver area would reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by a net total of 24 tons per day. Researchers also found that completely replacing Denverā€™s gas-only fleet with plug-in hybrids would substantially cut VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions.

The study assumed that natural gas provided most of the electricity for charging PHEVs. Presumably the emissions gains the researchers predict would be higher ā€“ perhaps dramatically so ā€“ if, instead of natural gas, renewable energy forms such as solar and wind were assumed to provide most of the electricity for the PHEVs.

Ā 

Related articles–>

prius-resources-page-image Like this story? Interested in the solar EV/PHEV synergy? Join our Sun Milesā„¢ Club and start meeting & interacting with other people around the world who want to drive, or already are driving, their cars on sun! Register to join us today!