CO2 Emission Analysis for Different Types of Electric Vehicles When Charged from Floating Solar Photovoltaic Systems

Abstract

Renewable energy and electric vehicle technology are the two pillars for achieving a sustainable future. Floating solar power plants use PV modules on water infrastructure to save the land and increase module efficiency. Furthermore, the reduction in evaporation saves water. Electric vehicles are one of the fastest-growing markets and the most successful technologies to combat the problem of energy and climate change. This research aims to construct a floating PV system on the lake of the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), to analyze electric vehicle performance and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when charged using the installed floating PV system. To address this, a 1.5 MWP floating PV system was simulated and analyzed using Helioscope software. When charged from the proposed floating PV plant, electric bikes, scooters, and cars saved CO2 emissions. When charged from a floating PV, E-bike, E-scooter, and E-car Net CO2 emissions became zero in 25.5, 12.1, and 7.7 months, respectively. After the aforementioned time periods, all three electric vehicle types were zero-emission vehicles. The required charge for all three types of vehicles (1,000,000 km) was analyzed using a floating PV system. E-bike, E-scooter, and E-car CO2 emission savings were −8,516,000 g/kWh, −328,000 g/kWh, and 525,600,000 g/kWh, respectively. All three types of electric vehicles can reduce CO2 emissions for nations that rely on renewable energy, but only electric cars save carbon emissions over fixed distances. Through this research, we finally conclude that electric cars reduce CO2 emissions the most compared to other electric vehicles.