EPRI-NRDC Definitive Study: PHEVs Will Reduce Emissions If Broadly Adopted
Jul 19, 2007 (From the CalCars-News archive)

We just finished listening to a press conference in Washington, DC,
to announce the release of the long-awaited study that finally gives
conclusive answers to a big question:

What happens to the air quality of the United States (greenhouse
gases and other emissions) if we have a massive expansion of plug-in
hybrid and electric vehicles?

Here's CalCars' quick takeaway from the press conference:

"The EPRI-NRDC studies finally give an environmental stamp of
approval to PHEVs. Scientist have confirmed that unlike gasoline
cars, plug-ins will get cleaner as they get older -- because our
power grid is getting cleaner."

"For people looking for the most effective way to end our addiction
to oil, PHEVs have made sense because carmakers can build them now,
with today's technology and using today's infrastructure. But they've
needed definitive proof that PHEVs won't increase pollution. The main
study shows that under all nine scenarios for both rates of market
penetration of PHEVs and the evolving power grid's characteristics
(capacity/carbon intensity), PHEVs will vastly reduce greenhouse
gases for the next 40 years. In the second study, for the next 20
years, even if, worst-case, we still use lots of coal, nationwide air
quality for other emissions will also improve."

"Three more points: Both reports match up well with previous studies.
They reinforces the Pacific National Lab's January 2007 findings that
we won't have to build new power plants for cars that charge at
night. And we're gratified that General Motors recognizes sees this
study as validation of its decision to evolve to the electrification
of transportation."


Speakers at the event at the National Press Club in Washington, DC were:
* Steve Specker, President and CEO, Electric Power Research Institute
* John Bryson, Chairman, President and CEO, Edison International
* Dan Lashof, Science Director of Climate Center, Natural Resources
Defense Council
* Roger Duncan, Deputy General Manager, Austin Energy
* Tony Posawatz, Director Vehicle Line, General Motors
* Mark Duvall, Manager, Electric Transportation, Electric Power
Research Institute
PLUS a surprise guest: a prototype of what Posawatz described as the
"production-intent" Chevy Volt PHEV


You can download the report (multiple files) at
<http://www.epri-reports.org>. Warning: much of the report is highly
technical. Part 1 is one large file. Part 2 on criteria emissions is
two. If you want to spend an hour on this, read the press release
below, then get the Executive Summary for part 1 (9 pages, 8 charts &
tables) <http://www.epri-reports.org/PHEV-ExecSum-vol1.pdf> and the
Frequently Asked Questions that covers both reports
<http://www.epri-reports.org/Otherdocs/PHEV-FAQ.pdf> (7 pages, 24
questions). EPRI's two-page PHEV Technology Primer
<http://www.epri-reports.org/Otherdocs/PHEV-Primer.pdf> is also worth
reviewing. It displays the Daimler/Chrysler Sprinter Van and ends
with the prediction: "EPRI expects PHEVs to be available for
commercial van application by 2008 and in the mass consumer market by 2010."


We took notes on what the speakers said; we'll have more to say, but
we're also hoping for thoughtful analyses and reports from
GreenCarCongress.com, EvWorld.org and the mainstream media, many of
whom attended. To start, here's the press release:


EPRI-NRDC Report Finds Environmental Benefits of Deploying PHEVs

Analysis Cites Curb in Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Potential for
Improved Air Quality

PALO ALTO, Calif. - July 19, 2007 - The Electric Power Research
Institute (EPRI) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
today released a comprehensive assessment that finds that widespread
use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the United States
could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and potential for improve
ambient air quality.

The research measures the impact of increasing numbers of PHEVs
between 2010 and 2050, including the nationwide environmental impact
of potentially large fleets that would use electricity from the grid
as their primary fuel source.

Among 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

The analysis is the first to combine detailed models of the U.S.
electric system and transportation sector with sophisticated
atmospheric air quality models -- accounting for the future evolution
of both sectors in technological advances, electricity load growth
and capacity expansion.

"This research accelerates our understanding of the interplay of
emissions from various sources," said Steve Specker, EPRI President
and Chief Executive Officer. "We now see that widespread use of PHEVs
could expand the fuel options in our transportation sector and at the
same time yield net benefits to our environment."

The EPRI-NRDC study represents the most comprehensive analysis of the
potential reductions of global warming and other emissions from
wide-scale introduction of PHEVs over time. The study addresses the
impact that lower-emitting electricity generation can have for
increasing these benefits.

"NRDC believes that a combination of more efficient vehicles,
improved battery technology, and a lower-emitting electric power
plant fleet can produce substantial reduction in global warming
pollution from both the electric power and the transportation
sectors, said David Hawkins, Director of NRDC's Climate Center. "Our
results show that PHEVs recharged from low- and non-emitting
electricity sources can decrease the carbon footprint in the nation's
transportation sector."

Several benefits result from the use of grid electricity as a
transportation fuel. PHEVs can reduce direct emissions at the vehicle
tailpipe and indirect emissions at the fuel source when they recharge
by electricity produced by a portfolio of efficient combustion,
non-emitting or renewable generation. It is this linkage to a cleaner
grid that could enable PHEVs to produce less GHG emissions than
conventional or hybrid vehicles.

Using electricity produced from diverse domestic resources, PHEVs can
reduce U.S. dependence on imported oil. The scale of the greenhouse
gas benefit from PHEVs will depend on the efficiency of the vehicles,
their range on a battery charge and the greenhouse gas emissions from
the electric generation fleet.

"The EPRI-NRDC study demonstrates that plug-in hybrid electric
vehicles can contribute significantly to the national effort to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said John E. Bryson, chairman and
CEO of Edison International. "With public support, it is likely that
someday millions of Americans will fill up their vehicles at the plug
instead of the pump, saving money and protecting the environment."

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles combine operational aspects of both
battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and power assist hybrid electric
vehicles (HEVs). A PHEV, like a BEV, can be recharged from the
electric grid, stores energy in an onboard battery and uses the
energy while depleting the battery during daily driving.

Unlike a BEV, a PHEV can use its internal combustion engine for
propulsion in highway driving or when the battery is depleted.
Because of this versatility, a PHEV can serve as a direct replacement
for a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle or HEV.

A joint EPRI-NRDC press conference will be held today at 10:30 a.m.
in the Holeman Lounge at the National Press Club. Reporters may also
dial into the conference by calling 1.800.926.9174. The entire PHEV
environmental assessment will be posted online at
www.epri-reports.org at 12 noon EDT, July 19, 2007.

About EPRI
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), with major locations in
Palo Alto, Calif., Charlotte, N.C., and Knoxville, Tenn., was
established in 1973 as an independent, nonprofit center for public
interest energy and environmental research. EPRI brings together
member organizations, the Institute's scientists and engineers, and
other leading experts to work collaboratively on solutions to the
challenges of electric power. These solutions span nearly every area
of power generation, delivery, and use, including health, safety, and
environment. EPRI's members represent over 90% of the electricity
generated in the United States. International participation
represents nearly 15% of EPRI's total R&D program.

About NRDC
The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit
organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists
dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in
1970, NRDC has 1.2 million members and online activists, served from
offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco
and Beijing. More information on NRDC is available at its Web site:
www.nrdc.org.

Contacts: Heather Lynch Hansen hlhansen@...
Clay Perry Clperry@...