摘要：The air quality impacts of replacing 20% of the gasoline powered light duty vehicle miles
traveled with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the region served by the
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland classic grid are examined. Unutilized, base-load
nighttime electricity generating capacity is assumed to charge PHEVs that would
subsequently be used during urban commutes. The net impact of this scenario on the
emissions of precursors to the formation of ozone is an increase in nitrogen oxide (NOx),
volatile organic compound (VOC) and CO emissions from electricity generating units
during nighttime hours, and a greater decrease in NOx, VOC and CO from mobile
emissions in urban areas during daytime hours. The changes in maximum daily 8 h ozone
concentrations, predicted using a regional photochemical model (CAMx), are decreases in
ozone concentrations between 2 and 6 ppb that are widespread across the urban areas, and
increases in ozone concentrations of up to 8 ppb in highly localized areas. Air quality
indicators beyond maximum daily ozone concentration are also evaluated, and in
general indicate air quality improvements associated with the use of PHEVs.
However, a limited number of air quality indicators worsened with the use of
PHEVs, suggesting that overall impacts of the use of PHEVs will be complex.
