Study looks at how EV efficiency improvements could reduce infrastructure, consumer costs
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) have partnered to produce a report on the potential for electric vehicle (EV) efficiency improvements to reduce infrastructure and consumer costs.
The study said that efficiency gains create opportunities for lower vehicle ownership costs and better performance. In addition, more efficient battery technology could reduce the quantity of raw materials needed to produce batteries, thus lessening supply chain concerns.
By 2050, according to the study, continued advances in EV efficiencies could reduce electricity consumption per mile in half. Further, it found that it could lower electricity demand by hundreds of terawatt-hours annually and decrease associated grid buildout, reducing peak demand by nearly 300 gigawatts. In addition, efficiencies could provide consumer energy cost savings of more than $200 billion annually if accomplished without raising vehicle costs.
“Transportation energy efficiency gains can provide many benefits to society,” Rob Chapman, EPRI senior vice president of Energy Delivery and Customer Solutions, said. “This study demonstrates that continued advances in EV efficiency have the potential to substantially reduce physical grid and charger buildout, which could further decrease consumer energy bills and help electric companies keep better pace with accelerating customer demand. Lower cost of vehicle ownership and less need for home charging electrical upgrades can make electric mobility more accessible to all communities.”
The study looked at four scenarios that varied the efficiency characteristics of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty on-road vehicles. The four scenarios include a case in which today’s technology doesn’t improve over time, an intermediate scenario with improved technology at a rate roughly consistent with historic efficiency trends, and two scenarios reflecting accelerated trends toward advanced efficiency gains.
“Vehicle electrification is a critical strategy for meeting clean air and safe climate goals,” Luke Tonachel, senior strategist for transportation at NRDC, said. “If we do it most effectively and efficiently, we can add to the environmental benefits by minimizing power demand from electric vehicles, right sizing the electrical grid and charging infrastructure, and minimizing battery materials. Technologies to improve electric vehicle efficiency are known, and it is now time for the electric and vehicle industries, policymakers, and other stakeholders to come together on solutions to promote their use.”
Key vehicle energy efficiency measures evaluated include reduced weight without sacrificing size or safety, reduced aerodynamic drag, improved battery and powertrain efficiency, and higher battery energy density.
