Abstract: The energy consumption, green house gas CO2 and main pollutant emissions per travel distance in life cycle were assessed when using natural gas-based dimethyl ether (DME) and coal–based DME as vehicle fuel. The assessment was based on different production technologies of the natural gas-based DME and coal-based DME and combined with vehicle data. The results show that all energy consumption and pollutant emissions of the natural gas-based DME are lower than those of the coal–based DME, except for CO emission in life cycle. The volatile organic compound (VOC), CO and NOx emissions of the coal–based DME and natural gas-based DME are lower than those of diesel, however, the energy consumption, CO2, particulate matter (PM) and SO2 emissions of DME are higher than those  of diesel. 

Key words: vehicle fuel, dimethyl ether (DME), life cycle assessment, energy consumption, emissions