Environmental evaluation of introducing electric vehicles using a dynamic traffic-flow model

A dynamic traffic-flow model (DTFM) is used in this study to evaluate the e ffectiveness of introducing electric vehicles (ET's) into the total traffic system as one of the alternative fuel vehicles. This model simulates conge sted and non-congested traffic flow caused by changes in the traffic demand . An environmental evaluation is carried out on the basis that all vehicles are substituted for EVs. Calculated results indicate that by introducing E Vs, the NOx, emissions and the CO2 emissions can be reduced by approximatel y 25.7 and 14.4% respectively. If battery performance of EVs is improved fu rther, emissions can be further reduced by 39.6% (NOx) and 27.8% (CO2). Sin ce emissions from heavy-duty vehicles are greater than other vehicles, the following measures have to be taken for these vehicles to significantly imp rove their impact upon the overall environment: (1) improvement in fuel eff iciency and reductions of NOx in exhaust gas, (2) traffic demand management , such as modal shift. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.