quired and consent identification. One main characteristic of the database is its transparency in reporting to enable individual assessment of data appropriateness and to support the plurality in methodological approaches. Outlook. Further work on the ecoinvent database may comprise work on the database content (new or more detailed datasets covering existing or new economic sectors), LCI (modelling) methodology, the structure and features of the database system (e.g. extension of Monte Carlo simulation to the impact assessment phase) or improvements in ecoinvent data supply and data query. Furthermore, the deepening and building up of international co-operations in LCI data collection and supply is in the focus of future activities.

Battery-powered electric cars (BEVs) play a key role in future mobility scenarios. However, little is known about the environmental impacts of the production, use and disposal of the lithium ion (Li-ion) battery. This makes it difficult to compare the environmental impacts of BEVs with those of internal combustion engine cars (ICEVs). Consequently, a detailed lifecycle inventory of a Li-ion battery and a rough LCA of BEV based mobility were compiled. The study shows that the environmental burdens of mobility are dominated by the operation phase regardless of whether a gasoline-fueled ICEV or a European electricity fueled BEV is used. The share of the total environmental impact of E-mobility caused by the battery (measured in Ecoindicator 99 points) is 15%. The impact caused by the extraction of lithium for the components of the Li-ion battery is less than 2.3% (Ecoindicator 99 points). The major contributor to the environmental burden caused by the battery is the supply of copper and aluminum for the production of the anode and the cathode, plus the required cables or the battery management system. This study provides a sound basis for more detailed environmental assessments of battery based E-mobility.

Electric vehicle production and disposalA typical middle-class passenger car from ecoinvent v2.0, represented by a Golf A4 (petrol, 55kW) is used as a base for the LCI [1]. This dataset originates on data from "Life Cycle Inventory for the Golf A4", a "Volkswagen" report from the year 2000 [2]. All sub-components constituting the ICE drive train were subtracted from the ecoinvent dataset, leaving the LCI of a motor less vehicle glider. Thus, two new LCI datasets for a Glider and an ICE drive train were generated which combined match the Golf A4 (Table S1 to S3). A new LCI dataset for an electric drive train was generated using data from. The components to build an LCI for an electric drive train are selected in such a way, that the same maximal permanent power of 55 kW followed from the ICE drive train. The LCI for the entire BEV finally consists of the LCI of the glider, the electric drive train and the Li-ion battery.Scheme S1. The model of an internal combustion vehicle (ICE Vehicle) and a battery vehicle.

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