EPRI-NRDC Study Documents Important Role of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

July 20, 2007

On July 19, 2007, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released a collaborative study entitled Environmental Assessment of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles that "clearly confirms that plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are a 'win-win' for the environment, for national energy security and for customers," said EEI President Tom Kuhn. "The study documents the vital role that PHEVs will play in reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), improving air quality and curbing our reliance on foreign oil."

PHEVs are the next-generation hybrid vehicles that will help our country enter a new era of clean transportation, transportation efficiency, and greater energy independence. While still in the development phase, PHEVs promise to deliver important benefits over traditional hybrid vehicles.

Because questions remain regarding the environmental consequences of displacing oil with electricity as a primary vehicle fuel, EPRI and NRDC conducted a comprehensive study to address two key questions related to environmental impacts:

• How will increased electricity demand from the transportation sector over time shape future electricity supply and its impact on the environment?
• How will changes in the electricity grid—including replacement of older power plants and incorporation of new technologies such as advanced coal, renewables, and other low-emitting sources—affect the environmental picture over time?

Among the study's key findings were:

• Widespread adoption of PHEVs can reduce GHG emissions from vehicles by more than 450 million metric tons annually in 2050—equivalent to removing 82.5 million passenger cars from the road.
• There is an abundant supply of electricity for transportation; a 60-percent U.S. market share for PHEVs would use 7 percent to 8 percent of grid-supplied electricity in 2050.
• PHEVs can improve nationwide air quality and reduce petroleum consumption by 3 million to 4 million barrels per day in 2050. 

"For electric utilities, this study is especially important, because it also verifies the critical contribution that PHEVs will make to our industry's intensified commitment to combating climate change," Kuhn added.

Looking forward, Kuhn said the EPRI-NRDC report also underscores the urgency of accelerating the mass-market introduction of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. "I urge federal, state and local policymakers to implement incentives that will hasten the delivery of these vehicles to dealers' showrooms."

• Access the study.
• Read EEI's position paper on PHEVs.

View all EEI Energy News.

© 2008 Edison Electric Institute