A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND CO2 EMISSIONS FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENT VEHICLES IN MALAYSIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/jtse.v13.264Keywords:
Energy-efficient vehicles, vehicle energy consumption, hybrid electric vehicles, electric vehicles, CO₂ emissions, MalaysiaAbstract
Malaysia’s road transport sector contributes significantly to national energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. This study develops a simplified comparative model to assess the operational energy use and CO₂ emissions of gasoline internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and electric vehicles (EVs) under Malaysian passenger-car conditions. Useful traction energy was estimated at 13.76%, 23.48%, and 69.19% for ICEVs, HEVs, and EVs, respectively. Compared with ICEVs, HEVs and EVs reduced annual operational CO₂ emissions by 38.69% and 45.96%, respectively, although EV performance remains strongly dependent on the electricity-generation mix. Scenario analysis indicates that electrification alone is unlikely to deliver rapid transport-sector decarbonisation without aggressive adoption, grid decarbonisation, and supporting infrastructure. HEVs and improved ICEV technologies can provide short- to medium-term transition benefits, while EVs offer stronger long-term potential with the expansion of renewable electricity, charging infrastructure, and clear policy support. The findings support a balanced transition strategy that combines electrification, vehicle efficiency improvements, and power-sector decarbonisation.
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