Full Vehicle LCAs: A Review

Sullivan, J. L.; Cobas-Flores, Elisa

doi:10.4271/2001-01-3725

Cited by 21 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The vehicle production and disposal cycle includes material extraction, processing, and fabrication; component production; vehicle assembly; endof-life management; and the transportation of goods between these phases [18]. The vehicle production and disposal cycle contributes about 10%-20% of the total vehicle life cycle greenhouse gas emissions [18,20,21].…”

Section: Life Cycle System Definitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of ‘Cash for Clunkers’ on greenhouse gas emissions: a life cycle perspective

Keoleian

Bolon

2010

Environ. Res. Lett.

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One of the goals of the US Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) Act of 2009, more commonly known as 'Cash for Clunkers', was to improve the US vehicle fleet fuel efficiency. Previous studies of the program's environmental impact have focused mainly on the effect of improved fuel economy, and the resulting reductions in fuel use and emissions during the vehicle use phase. We propose and apply a method for analyzing the net effect of CARS on greenhouse gas emissions from a full vehicle life cycle perspective, including the impact of premature production and retirement of vehicles. We find that CARS had a one-time effect of preventing 4.4 million metric tons of CO 2 -equivalent emissions, about 0.4% of US annual light-duty vehicle emissions. Of these, 3.7 million metric tons are avoided during the period of the expected remaining life of the inefficient 'clunkers'. 1.5 million metric tons are avoided as consumers purchase vehicles that are more efficient than their next replacement vehicle would otherwise have been. An additional 0.8 million metric tons are emitted as a result of premature manufacturing and disposal of vehicles. These results are sensitive to the remaining lifetime of the 'clunkers' and to the fuel economy of new vehicles in the absence of CARS, suggesting important considerations for policymakers deliberating on the use of accelerated vehicle retirement programs as a part of the greenhouse gas emissions policy.

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Section: Life Cycle System Definitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of ‘Cash for Clunkers’ on greenhouse gas emissions: a life cycle perspective

Keoleian

Bolon

2010

Environ. Res. Lett.

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“…This has led to the consideration and adoption of alternative fuels and structural materials, such as bio-ethanol, bio-diesel, aluminum, and fiber-reinforced polymers. All of these environmentally motivated design changes require life cycle assessment (LCA) in order to determine whether environmental impact is shifted rather than reduced overall (Sullivan and Cobas-Flores 2001;MacLean and Lave 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parsimonious powertrain modeling for environmental vehicle assessments: part 2—electric vehicles

Geyer

Malen

2020

Int J Life Cycle Assess

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Purpose Environmental assessments of electric vehicles (EV) require scientifically sound and robust fuel consumption models. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a novel method and model for calculating energy demand of battery electric (BEV) and series plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicles. Methods This paper presents an open-source simulation model for BEV and series PHEV powertrains. It is based on driving and powertrain physics, such as a net force approach to calculate force demand at the tire patch, and the use of motor maps to model motor efficiency. The modeling approach is well suited to include important EV powertrain aspects, such as regenerative braking and battery charging and discharging losses. Results The presented method provides parsimonious open-source EV powertrain modeling to the environmental assessment community. It enables the calculation of vehicle energy demand (in MJ/100 km) and so-called energy reduction values (in MJ/ 100 km and 100 kg vehicle mass reduction) that are specific to each EV configuration and design change. Conclusions The presented EV powertrain model complements the ICV powertrain model introduced in part 1 of this paper series. It uses the same modeling methods as the ICV model, which gives it the same modeling advantages, and also facilitates environmental comparisons across powertrain types.

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“…Vehicle ownership rates in sub‐Saharan Africa are among the lowest in the world, yet are expected to increase as income levels rise (Dargay & Gately, ). Many LCAs have quantified associated materials and energy use of the technology by itself or as an incumbent technology for a comparison with emerging design, fuel, and engine options (Hawkins, Singh, Majeau‐Bettez, & Strømman, ; Kaniut, Cetiner, & Franzeck, ; MacLean & Lave, , ; Mendoza Beltran et al., ; Sullivan & Cobas‐Flores, ). A common metric for measuring life cycle performance of the automobile is kg CO 2 eq/passenger‐mile (or km).…”

Section: Characteristics and Lca Challenges For The Four Maturity Quamentioning

confidence: 99%

Life cycle assessment of emerging technologies: Evaluation techniques at different stages of market and technical maturity

Bergerson

Brandt

Cresko

et al. 2019

J of Industrial Ecology

141

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Life cycle assessment (LCA) analysts are increasingly being asked to conduct life cycle-based systems level analysis at the earliest stages of technology development. While early assessments provide the greatest opportunity to influence design and ultimately environmental performance, it is the stage with the least available data, greatest uncertainty, and a paucity of analytic tools for addressing these challenges. While the fundamental approach to conducting an LCA of emerging technologies is akin to that of LCA of existing technologies, emerging technologies pose additional challenges. In this paper, we present a broad set of market and technology characteristics that typically influence an LCA of emerging technologies and identify questions that researchers must address to account for the most important aspects of the systems they are studying. The paper presents: (a) guidance to identify the specific technology characteristics and dynamic market context that are most relevant and unique to a particular study, (b) an overview of the challenges faced by early stage assessments that are unique because of these conditions, (c) questions that researchers should ask themselves for such a study to be conducted, and (d) illustrative examples from the transportation sector to demonstrate the factors to consider when conducting LCAs of emerging technologies. The paper is intended to be used as an organizing platform to synthesize existing methods, procedures and insights and guide researchers, analysts and technology developer to better recognize key study design elements and to manage expectations of study outcomes. K E Y W O R D Searly stage technology assessment, environmental impacts, industrial ecology, life cycle assessment (LCA), research and development (R&D), unintended consequences

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Full Vehicle LCAs: A Review

Cited by 21 publications

References 7 publications

The impact of ‘Cash for Clunkers’ on greenhouse gas emissions: a life cycle perspective

The impact of ‘Cash for Clunkers’ on greenhouse gas emissions: a life cycle perspective

Parsimonious powertrain modeling for environmental vehicle assessments: part 2—electric vehicles

Life cycle assessment of emerging technologies: Evaluation techniques at different stages of market and technical maturity

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