Carbon, Particulate Matter, and Heavy Metal Human Toxicity Footprint of IoT-based Micro Electric Vehicle (EV) Sharing for Urban Mobility

Abstract

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to calculate and compare carbon footprint, particulate matter footprint, and heavy metal human toxicity footprint with operation data of IoT-based Micro Electric Vehicle (EV) Sharing for Urban Mobility, which was conducted in Chungbuk Innovation City (Jinchen Ducksaneup, Eumsung Mangdongmyun), Ochangeup (Cheongju), Osongeup(Cheongju) as a MOLIT Smart City Challenge Project, with petrol and diesel vehicles.Methods : In the assessment area, ten new Micro Electric Vehicles were used within the ‘TAYOU’ platform, which is an IoT-based micro electric vehicle sharing platform for smart mobility. These vehicles were operated for two months (1,021 times and 1,996 km). Data including vehicle numbers, charging start and end times, operating durations, return times, distances traveled (km), user information (name, driver's license, telephone number), and more were collected. Using this data, the carbon, particulate matter, and heavy metal human toxicity footprint were calculated and compared with those of petrol and diesel vehicles.Results and Discussion : The carbon footprints were 188.74 kg CO₂ eqv., 409.67 kg CO₂ eqv., 389.55 kg CO₂ eqv., in IoT-based Micro Electric Vehicle (EV), and petrol and diesel vehicle, respectively. The particulate matter footprint was 263.36 gPM_2.5 eqv., 21.37 gPM_2.5 eqv., and 439.47 gPM_2.5 eqv., respectively. The heavy metal human toxicity footprint was calculated at 0.029 g1.4 DCB eqv., 8.26 g1.4 DCB eqv., and 7.42 g1.4 DCB eqv., respectively; even though the pilot project was completed in just two months, the results showed a meaningful reduction in carbon, particulate matter, and heavy metals. If the service system can be extended, we can expect a more significant decrease in all environmental footprints. In the transition period from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles for carbon neutrality in road transportation systems, these results showed that electric vehicles can contribute significantly to reducing carbon, particulate matter, and heavy metals.Result : Carbon, particulate matter, and heavy metals reduction efforts are continuously needed in transportation. This study calculated and compared carbon, particulate matter, and heavy metal human toxicity footprints with electric, petrol, and diesel vehicles. As a result, in the future, this new small electric mobility (“TAYOU” Smart mobility vehicle) sharing service system can support and contribute to reducing carbon, particulate matter, and heavy metals emissions and footprints.