Rumo a um Futuro Sustentável: análise das emissões e custos associados à operação do Renault Kwid E-Tech e Kwid Intense flex

Abstract

The increasing concern regarding vehicular pollution worldwide is reflected in both global public policies and actions taken by major automotive manufacturers. This study conducts an environmental and financial analysis of two automobiles, a Renault Kwid E-Tech and a Kwid Intense flex, throughout their period of use. Data regarding operational processes and costs for both vehicles were collected over a five-year period, with an annual mileage of 20.000 kilometers. In the case of the Kwid Intense flex, two distinct fuel regimes were considered: gasoline and ethanol. These scenarios were categorized into five groups for comparative purposes across regions in Brazil, with four groups representing Brazilian electric subsystems and the fifth providing a general overview. Environmental assessment relied on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, utilizing the SimaPro v.9.5.0.1 software to quantify carbon footprints according to the IPCC 2021 GWP 100a. Financial evaluation employed techniques such as the Life Cycle Costing (LCC) method to apply the Net Present Value (NPV) and Payback Period. Carbon emissions for each energy mix varied asymmetrically among groups, with the northeast exhibiting a footprint of 0,066 kg CO2-eq/kWh and the south with 0,292 kg CO2-eq/kWh, representing the highest carbon footprint from electric energy. In most scenarios, the gasoline flex vehicle proved economically more viable, although more polluting, than ethanol and E-Tech counterparts in regions like the northeast and southeast. The ethanol-powered vehicle demonstrated both financial and economic viability, showing promising potential for greenhouse gas reduction.