Decarbonizing road transport is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality. This study presents a comprehensive Well-to-Wheel analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 26 powertrain-fuel combinations for passenger cars in Europe. The analysis considers both upstream (Well-to-Tank) and tailpipe (Tank-to-Wheel) emissions, using real-world fuel consumption data from similar sport utility vehicles (SUVs) across five powertrains. The results show that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) powered by renewable electricity achieve the lowest GHG emissions, with 97 to almost 100 % savings compared to fossil fuel counterparts. Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) running on hydrogen from waste wood gasification and diesel internal combustion engine vehicles (DICI) using e-diesel from wind electricity also demonstrate significant emissions reductions. The study highlights the importance of regionalized solutions and a combination of decarbonization options to achieve substantial GHG emissions reductions in road transport. A broader environmental assessment is also considered, encompassing the vehicle's life cycle within the system boundary. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and researchers, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to decarbonize road transport. By considering the complexity of powertrain-fuel combinations and regional energy systems, this study informs the development of effective strategies to mitigate GHG emissions from road transport and support a low-carbon transportation sector.

BOUTER Anne;  SCARLAT Nicolae;  FONTARAS Georgios; 

2026-03-03

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

JRC141457

1879-1786 (online),   

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652625027702,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC141457,   

10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.147412 (online),