Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.13044/j.sdewes.d13.0607
Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Alternative Fuels for Transport Sector Decarbonization
Botond Mecséri
; Széchenyi István University, Szombathely, Hungary
Chunyan Si
; University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
Petar Sabev Varbanov
; Széchenyi István University, Győr, Hungary
Péter Németh
; Szechenyi Istvan University, HUMDA Plc, Győr, Hungary
Abstract
Decarbonizing the transport sector is crucial, yet selecting the most suitable alternative fuels remains challenging. This study applies life cycle assessment to evaluate six alternative fuels, such as hydrogen, compressed natural gas, methanol, ethanol, Fischer-Tropsch gasoline, and diesel, against conventional gasoline, diesel, and grid electricity, focusing on global warming potential and acidification potential. Emissions were analysed using the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies model under two scenarios: current technologies (2025) and projected advancements (2050). The results indicate that, compared to gasoline, compressed natural gas reduces global warming potential and acidification potential by 27% and 23% in the short term, while gaseous hydrogen achieves reductions of 63% and 46% in the long term, respectively. These findings reinforce the theoretical foundation for transport sector decarbonization and contribute to its sustainable development. Future research will broaden the assessment framework by incorporating full vehicle life cycle analysis, evaluating additional alternative fuels, and integrating a wider set of indicators.
Keywords
Life cycle assessment; Alternative fuels; Hydrogen; Global warming potential; Acidification potential
Hrčak ID:
342245
URI
Publication date:
18.5.2026.
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