Title: Reducing CO₂ in the transport sector in Japan

Authors: Yoshikuni Yoshida, Hisashi Ishitani, Ryuji Matsuhashi, Osamu Kobayashi, Tetsuo Takeishi

Addresses: Department of Geosystem Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan. Institute of Applied Energy, 1-22-5 Nishishinbashi Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0003, Japan. Japan Electric Vehicle Association, 2-5-5 Toranomon Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan.

Abstract: In this paper, we have investigated the cost-effectiveness of alternative fuel vehicles as a measure for CO₂ reduction. Computed results indicate that the installation of alternative fuel vehicles is much more expensive than fuel switching in industry or the power generation sector. However, some economic incentives will make the price go down to the level at which alternative fuel vehicles are competitive with conventional vehicles. At the same time, mass production makes their prices go down although it is rather expensive at present. Then, we developed the scenarios in which CO₂ emissions could be stabilised at the level in 1990. In the higher demand case (1.2%/yr.), it is indispensable to introduce alternative fuel vehicles into the market. Our model selects electric vehicles and compressed natural gas vehicles as cost-effective options. In the scenario where carbon tax revenue is not offset by subsidy, we have to impose prohibitively high carbon tax to suppress CO₂. However, CO₂ emission can be suppressed by a reasonable carbon tax if the tax revenue is returned to the market to subsidise alternative fuel vehicles and their infrastructures.

Keywords: carbon tax; alternative fuel vehicles, energy system model.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2001.000772

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2001 Vol.1 No.4, pp.402-423

Published online: 21 Jul 2003 *

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