Lifecycle modeling and assessment of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) CO2e emissions

Figliozzi, M. A. · 2017

full-text

This is the early life-cycle paper that compares drones with diesel vans, electric vans, and tricycles on both use-phase and vehicle-phase CO2e. It is the main Figliozzi emissions comparison to cite. It was not re-read in full for this edition.

On a per-distance basis, a drone with a small payload can be more CO2e-efficient than a conventional diesel van. If a few customers can be grouped on one route, a tricycle or an electric van can instead be more efficient. Vehicle-phase emissions from producing and disposing of the aircraft are material, and ground vehicles look more efficient per delivery on that phase.

Break-even points move with payload and with how stops are grouped. The paper is not a utility’s current emissions table. Do not mix its numbers with later Figliozzi papers. This card refers only to the 2017 life-cycle comparison.