Researchers from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) compared the life-cycle emissions of electric, hydrogen, natural gas and diesel trucks and buses in Europe.
Battery electric models were found to be able to deliver the greatest emission reductions even when using the EU’s average electricity grid mix, which is currently not fully renewable but is expected to improve during the lifetime of the vehicles.
To meet Paris Agreement goals, Europe urgently needs to decarbonise its trucks and buses, which are the highest emitting vehicles on the road. While they represent only 2 per cent of road vehicles, they contribute around a quarter of transport-related emissions.
The methodology in the study addresses not only CO2 emissions resulting from vehicle tailpipes but also the emissions arising from the manufacturing of the vehicles and their components, vehicle maintenance, fuel production and electricity production.
It also factors in estimated...