Comparative operational carbon footprints of a vehicle in Brazil: Electric, ethanol, and gasoline

• Operational carbon footprints of electric vehicles (EV) in Brazil are evaluated • This is the first study to present carbon footprints per Brazilian regional subsystem • Ethanol presented 46% less GHG emissions compared to gasoline • The EV in the northeast had the lowest emissions, followed by the ethanol vehicle • The highest emissions occurred in the South region This study quantifies the operational carbon footprint of the Renault Kwid E-Tech (electric vehicle) and Renault Kwid Intense flex (gasoline and ethanol internal combustion engine vehicle) under a Well-to-Wheel approach within the Brazilian context. With a functional unit of 100,000 kilometers, this analysis evaluates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with fuel consumption and considers different electric mixes across Brazilian regions, along with the periodic maintenance of each vehicle type. The results reveal significant environmental benefits in regions such as the Northeast, where renewable energy sources predominate, reducing the carbon footprint of the electric model, with a carbon footprint of 0.071 kg CO 2 -eq/kWh. By contrast, the higher carbon intensity of the South’s electricity mix reliant on coal, with a carbon footprint of 0.281 kg CO 2 -eq/kWh, presents limitations in achieving emissions reductions with electric vehicles. Ethanol, a renewable biofuel in the Brazilian market, demonstrated a 46% reduction in GHG emissions compared to gasoline. This study contributes to the sustainable mobility discourse, highlighting the critical role of regional energy sources, fuel choices, and sustainable production practices in emissions outcome. These insights support the development of policies encouraging cleaner energy matrices and biofuel use, contributing to Brazil's emissions reduction goals.