Currently, electric vehicles are a rapidly growing alternative to those with combustion engines and can contribute to reduction of CO2 emissions in the transport sector, especially when the energy to power electric motors is predominantly derived from renewable sources. Until now, the comparison of environmental impact and influence of electric transport means on the power systems was not fully addressed in the case of Poland. The purpose of the study is to describe, analyse and assess electric vehicles (EV) operation against performance indicators in Poland, especially the influence of electric transport means (ETM) (electric cars, trams, trolley buses and buses) on power system and environment. The influence on the power system was investigated for the Polish National Powers system using the simulation of different scenarios of loads generated by EV charging. The energy demand of the National Power System and daily load variability indices were determined. Based on the data of ETM powers consumption and emissions of energy production, the emissions of harmful gases per one km and per one person were calculated, as well as the financial outlays for energy necessary to drive 1 km per 1 passenger. To assess and compare the environmental impact of the selected ETM life cycle, the life cycle assessment method was used. The results of environmental impacts were determined for selected assessment methods: CML 2 and IPCC 2013 GWP 100. The functional unit in this study is one selected ETM with a service life of 100,000 km. Comparison of trams, trolley buses, buses and electric passenger cars indicates that most beneficial are electric buses which do not need rails or overhead lines, thus investment costs are lower.
Keywords: efficiency; electric vehicle; life cycle assessment; transport performance indicators.