Comparative analysis of CO2 emissions from conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles in selected Central European countries

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F46747885%3A24210%2F26%3A00014427" target="_blank" >RIV/46747885:24210/26:00014427 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2026.147706" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2026.147706</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2026.147706" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.jclepro.2026.147706</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Comparative analysis of CO2 emissions from conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles in selected Central European countries

Original language description

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are considered vehicles that do not produce local CO2 emissions. However, their life cycle carbon footprint depends on the carbon intensity of the electricity or hydrogen that powers them and on emissions associated with vehicle production and recycling. This study aimed to compare the life cycle carbon footprint of conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), BEVs, and FCEVs during the production and use phases (Cradle-to-Gate, Well-to-Tank, and Tank-to-Wheel) in Central European countries. The analysis was based on three reference vehicles and publicly available data, including the carbon footprint of vehicle manufacturing, batteries, gasoline, electricity, and hydrogen. The national energy mix largely determines variation in carbon footprints: BEVs emit 25tCO2 in Austria (50% less than ICEVs) compared with 55tCO2 in Poland (8% more). In most countries, total emissions from BEVs and FCEVs were significantly lower than those from ICEVs, except in countries with a grid carbon intensity of approximately 600 gCO2/kWh. Despite higher production emissions, lower operating emissions were observed. According to the 2035 outlook, the footprints of BEVs and FCEVs will decrease by 64% and 79%, respectively, confirming that technological progress and the expansion of renewable energy sources are fundamental to reducing the climate impact of transport. Energy mix, not powertrain technology, dictates climate performance. These results support the European Union’s adoption of fleet targets and the prioritization of grid and hydrogen decarbonization before imposing blanket BEV and FCEV mandates.

Czech name

—

Czech description

—

Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

20701 - Environmental and geological engineering, geotechnics

Project

—

Continuities

S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2026

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Journal of Cleaner Production>

ISSN

0959-6526

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

544

Issue of the periodical within the volume

FEB 15

Country of publishing house

JO - JORDAN

Number of pages

11

Pages from-to

1-11

UT code for WoS article

001684649800002

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-105029190109