Life-cycle energy and greenhouse gas emission benefits of lightweighting in automobiles: Review and harmonization
Abstract
Replacing conventional materials (steel and iron) with lighter alternatives (e.g., aluminum, magnesium, and composites) decreases energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during vehicle use but may increase energy consumption and GHG emissions during vehicle production. There have been many life cycle assessment (LCA) studies on the benefits of vehicle lightweighting, but the wide variety of assumptions used makes it difficult to compare results from the studies. To clarify the benefits of vehicle lightweighting we have reviewed the available literature (43 studies). The GHG emissions and primary energy results from 33 studies that passed a screening process were harmonized using a common set of assumptions (lifetime distance traveled, fuel-mass coefficient, secondary weight reduction factor, fuel consumption allocation, recycling rate, and energy intensity of materials). After harmonization, all studies indicate that using aluminum, glass-fiber reinforced plastic, and high strength steel to replace conventional steel decreases the vehicle life cycle energy use and GHG emissions. Given the flexibility in options implied by the variety of materials available and consensus that these materials have substantial energy and emissions benefits, it seems likely that lightweighting will be used increasingly to improve fuel economy and reduce life cycle GHG emissions from vehicles.
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- Authors
- Kim, H. C., & Wallington, T. J.
- Affiliations
- Ford Motor Company (United States) (US)
- Corresponding author
- Kim, Hyung Chul
- Venue
- Environmental Science & Technology
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Published
- 2013-05-28
- Volume
- 47
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 6089-6097
- ISSN
- 0013-936X (ISSN-L)
- 1520-5851
- OpenAlex
- W2072737093
- Cited by
- 243
- References
- 46
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 9.66
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Environmental Science & Technology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Environmental Impact and Sustainability
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Automotive Engineering › Vehicle emissions and performance
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Engineering and Materials Science Studies
- Keywords
- automotive lightweighting, life cycle energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, automotive materials, aluminum, magnesium, glass fiber, high-strength steel, steel replacement, fuel economy, recycling rate
- MeSH terms
- Aluminum, Automobiles, Steel, Greenhouse Effect
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