Class
Article
College
College of Science
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Two types of pollution will be considered: carbon dioxide and Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5). PM2.5 is one of the most prevalent, damaging pollutants to humans at least here in Cache Valley. It is produced primarily as a byproduct of combustion. Switching to electric propulsion vehicles, PM2.5 pollution can be greatly reduced due to much higher efficiencies and the lack of combustion in the vehicle. The effects of the pollution levels are calculated based on the reduction of combustion used to generate the power to drive the vehicles and much higher efficiencies of electric vehicles and large scale electric power generation. Sample trips are used to compare the pollution levels of gasoline vs electric vehicles. A simple survey to current electric vehicle owners is used to understand current electric vehicle use. The change of USU motor pool fleet will result in a reduction of PM2.5 especially in Cache Valley. The example of USU will increase the likelihood of residents in cache valley switching to drive electric vehicles resulting in an even greater reduction of PM2.5. The vehicular travel activities for USU must change but will result in a positive change.
Start Date
4-9-2020 11:00 AM
End Date
4-9-2020 12:00 PM
Effects on Pollution Levels if Utah State University Converted Its Vehicle Fleet to Electric
Two types of pollution will be considered: carbon dioxide and Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5). PM2.5 is one of the most prevalent, damaging pollutants to humans at least here in Cache Valley. It is produced primarily as a byproduct of combustion. Switching to electric propulsion vehicles, PM2.5 pollution can be greatly reduced due to much higher efficiencies and the lack of combustion in the vehicle. The effects of the pollution levels are calculated based on the reduction of combustion used to generate the power to drive the vehicles and much higher efficiencies of electric vehicles and large scale electric power generation. Sample trips are used to compare the pollution levels of gasoline vs electric vehicles. A simple survey to current electric vehicle owners is used to understand current electric vehicle use. The change of USU motor pool fleet will result in a reduction of PM2.5 especially in Cache Valley. The example of USU will increase the likelihood of residents in cache valley switching to drive electric vehicles resulting in an even greater reduction of PM2.5. The vehicular travel activities for USU must change but will result in a positive change.