Unveiling the social and environmental benefits of electric vehicles: A case study of Shanghai.

The economic viability of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) relies on effectively balancing carbon mitigation benefits with development costs. This study addresses this issue by establishing a comprehensive social and environmental benefit (SEB) assessment model integrating life cycle assessment and life cycle cost methodologies. The aim is to quantify and analyze the economic costs and carbon reduction potential of BEVs throughout their life cycle, focusing on the case study of Shanghai. The findings highlight substantial carbon benefits achieved by BEVs. However, they also reveal that these benefits currently fall short of fully offsetting their economic costs. Notably, the study identifies battery cost as the predominant factor influencing SEB of BEVs. Lithium iron phosphate batteries achieve the highest environmental benefits, while LiNi0.33Mn0.33Co0.33O2 batteries exhibit the lowest. The driving stage of 200,000 km is the most environmentally advantageous, whereas the stage of 300,000 km yields the least benefit due to the need for battery replacement. To achieve carbon profitability, the study suggests a minimum 123.2 % increase in the social cost of carbon dioxide and a 30 % reduction in battery costs. This research contributes critical insights into the determinants of BEVs' environmental benefits, offering empirical foundations for evidence-based policy formulation in sustainable transport strategies.