Ford study shows pickup truck electrification has substantial greenhouse gas reduction rates

Researchers at Ford and the University of Michigan conducted a new study that evaluated the savings in greenhouse gas emissions in battery-electric pickup trucks relative to gas-powered pickups. It also assessed cuts in other light-duty vehicles compared to their gas-powered counterparts.

According to the study, sedans, SUVs and pickup truck battery-electric vehicles have about 64 percent fewer cradle-to-grave life cycle greenhouse gas emissions than similar vehicles with combustion engine powertrains. On average, replacing a conventional gas engine with an electric powertrain could save 74 metric tons of carbon dioxide over the lifetime of the vehicle, the study said.

Automakers are using the transition to electrification as a main strategy to combat rising greenhouse gas emissions rates. Ford says that light vehicles, including sedans, SUVs and pickup trucks, currently account for 58 percent of the United States transportation sector’s emissions. While pickups made up 14 percent of light-duty vehicle sales in the US in 2020, SUV and pickup sales have increased since that data was released, meaning more emissions are released each year.

Ford is one of the most committed automotive companies in the transition to electrification. The Mustang Mach-E, which was Ford’s first foray into the market, quickly became one of the best-selling electric cars in the United States. Last year, it was only behind the Tesla Model Y in the all-electric crossover sector. The F-150 Lightning, Ford’s electrified take on the popular pickup truck series, is set to begin deliveries this spring. Additionally, Ford has begun shipping the E-Transit to meet commercial demands, including a 1,110-unit order for Wal-Mart.

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The study provided further evidence that the transition to electric powertrains is more sustainable than gas-powered options, especially from the first mile of the vehicle to the last.

“This is an important study to inform and encourage climate action. Our research clearly shows substantial greenhouse gas emissions reductions that can be achieved by transitioning to electrified powertrains across all vehicle classes,” said the University of Michigan School for Greg Keolian, Professor of Environment and Sustainability, said. Keolian was the study’s senior author.

the study

The researchers performed a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment of the pickup tuck and compared it with assessments for electrified versions of pickups, sedans and SUVs. The study used three different model year 2020 powertrain options, including ICE engine vehicles, hybrid-electric vehicles and battery-electric vehicles. The study looked at midsize sedans, midsize SUVs, and full-size pickups, accounting for differences in fuel economy, annual mileage, vehicle output, and vehicle lifetime across vehicle classes.

“This study expands on previous studies that have focused on comparing battery-electric vehicle sedans to their internal-combustion-engine or hybrid counterparts,” Keolian said. “We report emissions for vehicle production, use, and end-of-life stages on a per mile basis and over total vehicle lifetime. In addition, we measured emissions considering the mix of the power grid and the difference in ambient temperature. analyzed regional variation, and we also explored the effects of the rate of grid decarbonization on emissions reductions.

The researchers found that switching to an electric vehicle resulted in a significant reduction in emissions as the size of the vehicle increased. This is due to higher fuel consumption than larger class vehicles.

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“Although the percentage savings are roughly the same across vehicle classes, replacing an internal-combustion-engine sedan with a battery-electric sedan saves an average of 45 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, replacing an internal-combustion-engine SUV with a battery-electric SUV. Saves 56 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, and replacing an internal-combustion-engine pickup with a battery-electric pickup saves 74 metric tons of carbon dioxide over the lifetime of the vehicle,” says Max Woody, Center for Sustainable Systems Research Specialist said. Woody is listed as the study’s first author.

The researchers also concluded that BEV manufacturing has a larger emissions rate than ICE vehicle manufacturing. The break-even time of battery-electric sedans was 1.2 to 1.3 years, while SUVs sat 1.4 to 1.6 years and pickups 1.3 years, based on the average US grid and vehicle miles traveled, the study said.

Officially published on March 1 in the magazine environmental research papers, The full study is available here.

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Ford study shows pickup truck electrification has substantial greenhouse gas reduction rates