The DOI matches its Crossref record; 118 of the 119 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Environmental impacts of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles—what can we learn from life cycle assessment?
Open accessAbstract
The purpose of this review article is to investigate the usefulness of different types of life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of electrified vehicles to provide robust and relevant stakeholder information. It presents synthesized conclusions based on 79 papers. Another objective is to search for explanations to divergence and “complexity” of results found by other overviewing papers in the research field, and to compile methodological learnings. The hypothesis was that such divergence could be explained by differences in goal and scope definitions of the reviewed LCA studies. The review has set special attention to the goal and scope formulation of all included studies. First, completeness and clarity have been assessed in view of the ISO standard’s (ISO 2006a , b ) recommendation for goal definition. Secondly, studies have been categorized based on technical and methodological scope, and searched for coherent conclusions. Comprehensive goal formulation according to the ISO standard (ISO 2006a , b ) is absent in most reviewed studies. Few give any account of the time scope, indicating the temporal validity of results and conclusions. Furthermore, most studies focus on today’s electric vehicle technology, which is under strong development. Consequently, there is a lack of future time perspective, e.g., to advances in material processing, manufacturing of parts, and changes in electricity production. Nevertheless, robust assessment conclusions may still be identified. Most obvious is that electricity production is the main cause of environmental impact for externally chargeable vehicles. If, and only if, the charging electricity has very low emissions of fossil carbon, electric vehicles can reach their full potential in mitigating global warming. Consequently, it is surprising that almost no studies make this stipulation a main conclusion and try to convey it as a clear message to relevant stakeholders. Also, obtaining resources can be observed as a key area for future research. In mining, leakage of toxic substances from mine tailings has been highlighted. Efficient recycling, which is often assumed in LCA studies of electrified vehicles, may reduce demand for virgin resources and production energy. However, its realization remains a future challenge. LCA studies with clearly stated purposes and time scope are key to stakeholder lessons and guidance. It is also necessary for quality assurance. LCA practitioners studying hybrid and electric vehicles are strongly recommended to provide comprehensive and clear goal and scope formulation in line with the ISO standard (ISO 2006a , b ).
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“as varying rates of decarbonization have a significant impact on final outcomes.”
From A National and Regional Greenhouse Gas Breakeven Assessment of EVs across North America (2023) · cites this paper as [40]
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Citations
Cites
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Opportunities and Challenges for Organic Electrodes in Electrochemical Energy Storage
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The environmental impact of Li-Ion batteries and the role of key parameters – A review
Peters, J. F., Baumann, M., Zimmermann, B., Braun, J., & Weil, M. (2017) · Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.rser.2016.08.039 · Cited by 856
Lai, X., Chen, Q., Tang, X., Zhou, Y., Gao, F., Guo, Y., Bhagat, R., & Zheng, Y. (2022) · eTransportation · doi:10.1016/j.etran.2022.100169 · Cited by 566
Environmental Assessment of Emerging Technologies: Recommendations for Prospective LCA
Arvidsson, R., Tillman, A., Sandén, B. A., Janssen, M., Nordelöf, A., Kushnir, D., & Molander, S. (2017) · Journal of Industrial Ecology · doi:10.1111/jiec.12690 · Cited by 545
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Metadata
- Authors
- Nordelöf, A., Messagie, M., Tillman, A.-M., Ljunggren Söderman, M., & Van Mierlo, J.
- Affiliations
- Chalmers University of Technology (SE)
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (BE)
- Corresponding author
- Nordelöf, Anders
- Venue
- The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment
- Published
- 2014-08-21
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 1866-1890
- ISSN
- 0948-3349 (ISSN-L)
- 1614-7502
- OpenAlex
- W2012453053
- Cited by
- 543
- References
- 119
- Citations by year
- 2026: 36 · 2025: 50 · 2024: 73 · 2023: 41 · 2022: 55 · 2021: 54 · 2020: 49 · 2019: 44 · 2018: 45 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 2
- FWCI
- 17.01
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Update notices
- correction (2015-11-26)
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Chalmers Publication Library (Chalmers University of Technology) (submittedVersion)
- Chalmers Research (Chalmers University of Technology) (submittedVersion)
- VUBIR (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Environmental Impact and Sustainability
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Automotive Engineering › Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Technologies
- Keywords
- hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles, environmental impact, goal and scope definition, resource consumption, mine tailings, vehicle recycling, stakeholder communication
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