Sustainable Transport

Transport electrification is essential for addressing global warming, air pollution and dependence on fossil fuels, but large-scale electric vehicle adoption will substantially increase electricity demand. Uncoordinated charging can intensify peak demand, overload network assets, increase power losses and adversely affect voltage stability and grid reliability. Smart charging offers an alternative by adapting charging power and timing to grid conditions, electricity prices and users’ mobility requirements. This study synthesises international evidence on smart-charging strategies, grid impacts, charging-demand prediction, pricing, user acceptance, artificial intelligence, blockchain applications, emergency charging solutions and implemented pilot projects. It also presents case studies illustrating benefits for electricity networks and EV users. The reviewed evidence shows that smart charging can reduce peak demand and network congestion, improve voltage profiles and reliability, support renewable-energy integration and enable EVs to provide flexibility and ancillary services. Reported applications include reductions in transformer overloading, cable loading, network interventions, monthly demand charges and transformer ageing. However, benefits depend on appropriate control strategies, reliable communication, interoperable infrastructure, supportive market arrangements and user participation. The findings demonstrate that transport electrification and electricity-system planning should be addressed jointly. Governments, regulators, network operators and charging providers should integrate smart-charging requirements into infrastructure planning, electricity-market design, technical standards and consumer-facing services.

Sanchari Deb, School of Engineering, Newcastle University

Black carbon (BC) is a short-lived climate pollutant that contributes to near-term warming while degrading air quality and affecting human health. This study develops a high-resolution assessment of BC emissions from road transportation in Karnataka, India, and evaluates mitigation pathways and their climate, health, and economic co-benefits. A 1 × 1 km gridded BC emission inventory was developed using vehicle registration data, road networks, land-use information, vehicle activity, and vehicle-specific emission factors. Spatial analysis identified emission hotspots and major contributing vehicle categories. Future emissions were projected to 2050 under business-as-usual and reduction scenarios using the LEAP. Monte Carlo simulation with 2,000 iterations quantified uncertainty at a 95% confidence level, while economic and health-benefit analyses assessed mitigation outcomes. In 2022, road transportation accounted for 39.76% of Karnataka’s total BC emissions, with Bengaluru Urban the highest-emitting district at approximately 0.87 Gg. Trailers and tractors were the largest contributors (48.12%), followed by trucks and lorries (29.64%). Under business-as-usual conditions, emissions from major heavy-duty vehicle categories are projected to increase substantially by 2050. Mitigation through vehicle electrification, cleaner technologies, and improved emission controls can substantially reduce BC emissions. The transition from internal-combustion to electric two-wheelers also offers economic and health co-benefits. The findings provide spatially explicit evidence to prioritize heavy-duty vehicle controls, transport electrification, and targeted interventions in high-emission districts, thereby supporting climate mitigation and sustainable transport planning.

Authors: Narayan Kayet, M. P. L., G. Hegde, A. K. V. Ganeshker, and T. Eregowda

Affiliation: Energy, Environment and Climate Change Programme, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru, India.