ABSTRACT
In another entry of this encyclopedia (“Hybrid-Electric Vehicles: Plug-In Configuration”), the author showed that it was theoretically possible for plug-in hybrid-electric light transportation vehicles to utilize electricity provided by electric utilities to displace almost 75% of the energy of gasoline used by light transportation vehicles. The entry indicated that there also is a significant reduction in the greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere by the plug-in hybrid vehicles, but no quantitative assessment is provided. The purpose of this entry is to provide quantitative comparisons between all of the various hybrid-electric options. Comparisons are also made with greenhouse gas emissions from hydrogen-fueled vehicles. The results shown in tables indicate that greenhouse gas emissions are small or negligible when the electricity or hydrogen is produced using nuclear or solar (wind, photovoltaic, hydro, or renewable) energy. However, when fossil fuels (coal, oil, or natural gas) are used, the greenhouse gas emissions are greater than for gasoline-fueled vehicles in most cases.
