Techno-economic analysis of hydrogen, electric, and gasoline light-duty vehicles in three carbon tax scenarios

Abstract

What if an open-source software showed what is the total cost of ownership of consumer goods, including emissions over time? Consumers' decision making is often price sensitive. An assessment of twelve mobility units' classes 1 to 5 at market price, their operation expenses, resale prices, and emissions show the real cost for the final consumer. Light-duty vehicles from the world's largest vehicle manufacturers: Toyota, Volkswagen, Honda, Hyundai, Chevrolet, Nissan, and tiny Tesla, from three continents are compared. Gasoline, hybrid, electric, and hydrogen-fueled powertrains performance over 12 years demonstrate how non-fossil fueled units offset their higher upfront price compared to their gasoline counterparts in 6 years. A micromobility option, a bicycle, is graphed against engine units. The Paris Agreement signed by 175 countries suggests a carbon tax which is levied in 29 countries. Such tax is forecasted in the non-signee of the Agreement, and number two highest polluter in the world, the United States. Three scenarios were calculated: at zero, fifteen and forty USD per Metric ton oil equivalent, as a path for massive production to account for environmental externalities. Life Cycle Analysis, Circular Economy and Smart Capitalism are articulated as solutions aiming to NetZero transportation targeting the segment responsible for the most GHG emissions in the industry, mid-sized cars. Collaboration and inclusive negotiation informed by consistent information are presented as means to lessen the gender gap and unite decision-makers to reach the Sustainability Development Goals. A systems-level approach is proposed in the form of private-public partnerships and global data sharing to scale and implement existing technologies. Cleaning the power grid by producing and storing renewable energy, implementing carbon capture, usage, and storage, and producing green hydrogen from electrolysis are pointed out as central global strategies to stop Climate Change.