Energy sources as a function of electric vehicle emission: The case of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

This paper deals with the analysis of challenges and perspectives of the transition to electric vehicles as a sustainable solution for the transport sector in the context of global energy challenges and the need to reduce negative environmental impacts. With an emphasis on the energy situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the paper explores the possibilities of switching to electric vehicles (EVs) and analyses the effects of energy sources on CO2 emissions. The paper highlights the motivation to switch to EVs, driven by the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and rely on renewable energy sources. After analysing relevant studies, it is concluded that smaller and lighter electric vehicles have lower CO2 emissions and that the participation of renewable sources in electricity production reduces these emissions. The conducted analysis of the vehicle fleet specifies that the CO2 emissions of electric vehicles are not zero and that they depend on the source of electricity. Furthermore, other factors, such as the production of batteries, also play an important role in the overall environmental impact. Although the motivation to switch to electric vehicles is emphasized to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and use renewable energy sources, it has been shown that the CO2 emissions of electric vehicles (EVs) are not zero and significantly depend on the energy sources. Calculations performed on the vehicle fleet of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the year 2021, using Copert as the tool, showed that vehicles driven by fossil fuels emit about 1.6 million tonnes of CO2. In comparison, if all vehicles were replaced with electrical ones, the CO2 emissions would be about 1.15 million tonnes. As for the required electricity to power EVs, it is calculated that the required amount would be about 1,539 GWh per year. This paper acknowledges the presence of emissions associated with battery production, storage, and disposal, as well as vehicles themselves. However, it does not delve into this issue in detail. Future research will aim to address this matter more thoroughly.

Keywords

• Electic vehicles
• renewable energy sources
• copert
• CO2 pollution

References

1. Y. Li, N. Ha, and T. Li, “Research on carbon emissions of electric vehicles throughout the life cycle assessment taking into vehicle weight and grid mix composition,” Energies, Vol. 12(19), Article 3612, 2019. [CrossRef]
2. P. Albrechtowicz, “Electric vehicle impact on the environment in terms of the electric energy source — Case study,” Energy Reports, Vol. 9, pp. 3813–3821, 2023. [CrossRef]
3. X. Shu, Y. Guo, W. Yang, K. Wei, and G. Zhu, “Life-cycle assessment of the environmental impact of the batteries used in pure electric passenger cars,” Energy Reports, Vol. 7, pp. 23022315, 2021. [CrossRef]
4. M. Öztürk, E. Evin, A. Özkan, and M. Banar, “Comparison of waste lithium-ion batteries recycling methods by different decision making techniques,” Environmental Research and Technology, Vol. 6(3), pp. 226-241, 2023. [CrossRef]
5. Z. N. Kurtulmuş, and A. Karakaya, “Review of lithium-ion, fuel cell, sodium-beta, nickel-based and metal-air battery technologies used in electric vehicles,” International Journal of Energy Applications and Technologies, Vol. 10(2), pp. 103-113, 2023. [CrossRef]
6. A. Hoekstra, and M. Steinbuch, “Comparing the lifetime greenhouse gas emissions of electric cars with the emissions of cars using gasoline or diesel,” TU/e Eindhoven University of Technology, 2020.
7. A. Uğurlu, “A Benchmarking analysis on electric vehicle emissions of leading countries in electricity generation by energy sources,” International Journal of Automotive Engineering and Technologies, Vol. 12(4), pp. 165-171, 2023. [CrossRef]
8. H. H. Coban, A. Rehman, and A. Mohamed, “Analyzing the societal cost of electric roads compared to batteries and oil for all forms of road transport,” Energies, Vol. 15(5), Article 1925, 2022. [CrossRef]

9. H. H. Coban, and W. Lewicki, “Daily electricity demand assessment on the example of the Turkish road transport system – a case study of the development of electromobility on highways,” Prace Komisji Geografii Komunikacji PTG, Vol. 25(2), pp. 52–63, 2022. [CrossRef]
10. H. H. Coban, “Smart steps towards sustainable transportation: Profitability of electric road system,” Balkan J Electric Comput Eng Vol. 11(1), pp. 88-99, 2023. [CrossRef]
11. D. Yıldızhan, A. K. Erenoğlu, and O. Erdinç, “Elektrikli araç entegrasyonunun dağıtım sistemine etkilerinin incelenmesi ve şarj istasyonu altyapısının tayin edilmesi,” Mühendislik Bilimleri ve Tasarım Dergisi, Vol. 10(4), pp. 1232-1242, 2022. [CrossRef]
12. N. Aslan, E. Kilic, and M. Şekkeli, “Modeling of electric vehicles as a load of the distribution grid,” International Journal of Automotive Science and Technology, Vol. 7(1), pp. 54-62, 2023. [CrossRef]
13. K. Olcay, and N. Çetinkaya, “Investigation of the effects of electric vehicle charging stations and solar energy integration on grid performance,” Journal of Scientific Reports-A, Vol. 055, pp. 206-219, 2023. [CrossRef]
14. World Energy Data, "World Electricity Generation," Available at: https://www.worldenergydata.org/world-electricity-generation/ Accessed on Dec 12, 2023.
15. Statista Inc., “Distribution of electricity production in the European Union in 2011 and 2021, by source,” Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/620693/sources-of-power-generation-european-union/ Accessed on Dec 12, 2023.
16. International Energy Agency, “Electricity Information,” Available at: https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-product/electricity-information Accessed on Dec 12, 2023.
17. European Commission, “Delivering the European green deal,” Available at: https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal/delivering-european-green-deal_en Accessed on Dec 12, 2023.
18. Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Framework Energy Strategy of Bosnia and Herzegovina by 2035,” Available at: http://www.mvteo.gov.ba/data/Home/Dokumenti/Energetika/Okvirna_energetska_strategija_Bosne_i_Hercegovine_do_2035._BIH_FINALNA.PDF Accessed on Dec 12, 2023.
19. European Environment Agency, “EMEP/EEA air pollutant emission inventory guidebook 2023,” Available at: https://www.emisia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1.A.3.b.i-iv-Road-transport-2023_Sep.pdf Accessed on Dec 12, 2023.
20. Database of registered vehicles in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2021, Federal Ministry of Transport and Communications.
21. Federal Ministry of Trade, “Overview of Imports of Oil Derivatives in The Federation of BiH for The 2021,” Available at: https://www.fmt.gov.ba/novosti/pregled-uvoza-n-d-u-federaciji-bih-za-period-i-%E2%80%93-xii-mjeseca-2021-god.html Accessed on Dec 12, 2023.
22. Federal Hydrometeorological Institute, “Meteorological Yearbook for 2021,” Available at: https://www.fhmzbih.gov.ba/podaci/klima/godisnjak/G2021.pdf Accessed on Dec 12, 2023.
23. Public Enterprise Electric Utility of Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Energy Efficiency,” Available at: https://www.epbih.ba/stranica/energetska-efikasnost Accessed on Dec 12, 2023.
24. U.S. Department of Energy, “Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles – Results,” Available at: https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?zipCode=94102&year=2016&vehicleId=37066&action=bt3 Accessed on Dec 12, 2023.
25. State Regulatory Commission for Electric Energy, “Report of The State Regulatory Commission for Electricity Work in 2021,” Available at: https://www.derk.ba/DocumentsPDFs/DERK-Izvjestaj-o-radu-2021-b.pdf Accessed on Dec 12, 2023.
26. Data was obtained through e-mail communication with the Public Enterprise Electric Utility of Bosnia and Herzegovina on 25.08.2023.