Assessment of gasoline consumption and greenhouse gas emission reduction on using battery electric two-wheeler in India

Abstract

A transformation from conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to battery electric (BE) vehicles coupled with a low carbon electricity grid is considered to be effective in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions especially carbon dioxide (CO₂) and a resulting drop in the oil demand. This study investigates the possible savings in the gasoline consumption and reduction in CO₂ emission in India from the battery electric two-wheeler segment during the fiscal year 2021–2030. The CO₂ emissions are estimated based on emission coefficients, average fuel consumption and the annual mileage of two-wheelers. In India, more than 70% of the total registered motor vehicles belong to the category of a two-wheeler. Hence, any policy actions intended at the reduction in CO₂ emission and gasoline consumption from the transportation sector must focus on the two-wheeler segment. Older two-wheeler has higher gasoline consumption due to lower fuel economy which leads to larger CO₂ emission. The study reveals that with 100% replacement of newly registered ICE two-wheelers with BE two-wheelers, a total savings of 322.50 billion litres of gasoline and a reduction of 571.49 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions can be achieved during the period 2021–2030. With strict implementation of a scrapping policy whereby all ICE two-wheelers completing 15 years of service are taken off the road, the gasoline savings and reduction in CO₂ emissions can be enhanced to 403.23 billion litres and 811.27 million tonnes, respectively, during the same period. The enhanced use of non-fossil fuel-based sources for electricity generation will lead to a further reduction in CO₂ emission, as the energy required for the propulsion of BE two-wheeler is sourced from the grid.