The study aims to perform Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) based on average energy efficiency as well as real-world driving cycles obtained from GPS devices for alternative powertrains and compares their environmental impacts. It also aims to determine the optimized fleet type considering Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Engine Buses (HFCEBs), and Battery Electric Trucks (BETs) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Engine Trucks (HFCETs). The powertrains chosen for comparison include diesel, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Battery Electric, and Fuel Cell Engine Vehicles, as the former two powertrains are currently dominant in operation and the latter two are imminent. As diesel powertrain is prominent currently, the comparisons of LCA results from alternative powertrains are done with respect to LCA results from diesel vehicles. CNG vehicles perform better than diesel in terms of GHG emissions. When hydrogen is sourced from electrolysis the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) are significantly higher than diesel vehicles, since the existing electricity mix relies significantly on thermal. However, the emissions from FCEVs drop drastically if electricity is sourced from renewable sources. When hydrogen is sourced from coal and biomass using Steam Methane Reformation (SMR), there is still a reduction in GHG emission when compared with diesel vehicles. Further, since biomass can be obtained from the decomposable organic municipality, farm, and animal wastes, it can be argued that this pathway of hydrogen can be used for harnessing energy while maintaining carbon neutrality. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are the most energy-efficient and produce the lowest emissions. They outperform all other powertrains when it comes to GHG emissions.
Keywords: Life Cycle Analysis, LCA of intracity buses, LCA of urban freight vehicles