Are Electric Vehicle Targets Enough? The Decarbonization Benefits of Managed Charging and Second-Life Battery Uses

Abstract

Vehicle electrification delivers fast decarbonization benefits by significantly improving vehicle efficiency and relying on less carbon-intense feedstocks. As power grids transition away from carbon-intensive generation and battery energy density improves, the transportation sector’s greenhouse gas savings may deliver upwards of a 75% reduction in current carbon footprint for many nations. Actual savings depend on many variables, like power grid feedstocks, charging rates and schedules, driver behavior, and weather. A special synergy between power and transportation sectors comes via managed charging and second-life battery uses for energy storage systems. This paper reviews the added carbon and energy savings that can come from these two strategies. If charging stations are widely available at one’s destination, utility-controlled managed charging could reduce emissions from electric vehicle charging by one-third. Downcycling electric vehicle batteries for energy storage can also lower peaker power plant use, avoid curtailment of renewable feedstocks, and lessen households’ power-based carbon footprints by half—or contribute up to 5% of grid power capacity.