Central Idea

The global transition towards net-zero emissions is a critical aspect of combating climate change, and electric vehicles (EVs) play a pivotal role in this endeavour.
In economically developing countries, hybrid EVs offer a significant opportunity to kickstart the transition, considering challenges related to power generation, grid capacity, and fast-charging infrastructure.

Understanding Net-Zero for Vehicles

“Net-zero for vehicles” refers to the concept of achieving carbon neutrality or net-zero carbon emissions in the transportation sector.
This goal involves reducing the overall carbon footprint of vehicles to balance the emissions they produce with equivalent carbon removal or offsetting measures.

Decarbonization of Vehicles: This includes transitioning from conventional internal combustion engines (ICE) that rely on fossil fuels to electric vehicles (EVs) that run on electricity generated from renewable energy sources.
Electrification: This involves increasing the adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that produce zero tailpipe emissions when operating on electricity.
Renewable Energy Integration: To ensure that EVs are truly net-zero, the electricity used to charge them must come from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power.
Sustainable Fuels: For certain types of vehicles that may not be easily electrifiable, such as heavy-duty trucks and aviation, the use of sustainable fuels can play a role in achieving net-zero emissions.
Infrastructure Development: Building and expanding charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is essential to support the widespread adoption of EVs.
Carbon Offsetting: Carbon offsetting involves supporting projects that remove or reduce an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, such as afforestation, reforestation, or renewable energy projects.
Policy Support: Incentives, subsidies, emissions standards, and carbon pricing mechanisms can encourage consumers and industries to adopt cleaner transportation options.

Electric Vehicle (EV): Any vehicle using an electric drivetrain powered by a portable electrical energy source.
Hybrid EV: Combines an internal combustion engine (ICE) with an electrical generator to produce electricity. It utilizes a small battery (1-5kWh) as an energy buffer but cannot be charged from the grid.
Full EV: Also known as a battery EV or plug-in EV, it lacks an ICE, resulting in no tailpipe emissions. It has a larger battery (20-120 kWh) charged solely from the grid.
Plug-in Hybrid EV: A hybrid EV with a larger battery (5-15 kWh) that can be charged from the grid, operating in full electric mode as long as there is energy in the battery.
Fuel-Cell EV: Utilizes a fuel cell and a small battery buffer to produce electricity for the drivetrain.

Hybrid EVs: With the combination of an ICE, generator, and battery, hybrid EVs exhibit 1.5-2x higher fuel economy than conventional ICE vehicles in city driving and 1-1.5x higher in highway driving.
Plug-in Hybrid EVs: Combine the advantages of hybrid and full EVs, covering 80-90% of short commutes in fully electric mode with 3-4x higher fuel economy than conventional vehicles.
Life-Cycle Emissions: A comprehensive index considering well-to-wheel emissions, vehicle, and battery production, maintenance, and end-of-life recycling. Full EVs result in 19-34% lower emissions for sedans and 38-49% for SUVs compared to conventional vehicles, even with fossil-fuel-dominated energy mix in India.

Fast-Charging Infrastructure: Successful transition requires fast-charging infrastructure along highways to alleviate range anxiety and encourage full EV adoption.
Grid Access and Reliability: Many regions lack access to a reliable grid, posing challenges for slow and fast-charging capabilities.
Vehicle Costs: Mass-market EV prices are much lower in economically developing countries, hindering widespread adoption due to high battery costs.

Hybrid EVs present an opportunity to lower emissions until full EVs become viable options in the long term.
Plug-in hybrids, with their all-electric range, offer many benefits, reducing fuel costs, emissions, and oil imports.
Regenerative braking and engine start-stop mechanisms improve fuel economy in hybrid EVs.
Hybrid cars’ purchase price is only slightly higher than conventional vehicles, irrespective of the vehicle range.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles serve as a bridge to the net-zero future, offering a practical and efficient solution for economically developing countries.
While full EVs are the ultimate goal, the adoption of hybrid and plug-in hybrid EVs can significantly reduce emissions and fuel costs in the interim.
A coordinated effort to address infrastructure challenges and enhance grid reliability will pave the way for a sustainable transition towards a net-zero mobility landscape powered by renewable energy sources.