Impacts of electrification of automotive transport in different OECD countries
by Kimmo Klemola; Matti Karvonen
International Journal of Transitions and Innovation Systems (IJTIS), Vol. 5, No. 2, 2016

Abstract: This paper evaluates the effects of road transport electrification and its regionally widely differing environmental impacts. Life-cycle assessment is carried out to quantify the environmental impacts of electric cars in all OECD countries with widely different electricity generation mixes. The environmental impacts of internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles are compared. For cars, the life-cycle assessment considers the environmental impacts throughout the entire life cycle, from raw material extraction and acquisition, through energy and material production and manufacturing, to use and end-of-life treatment and final disposal. For fuels and electricity, the whole life cycle from cradle to gate is considered. The results show significant differences in the environmental impacts of battery electric vehicles between the countries. Policies to advocate the electrification of road transport differ from country to country, and the still very carbon-intensive electric mixes of most countries make the environmental gains of electric vehicles questionable. Combining technology forecasting and life-cycle assessment tools can provide a foundation for policy planning towards more sustainable automobile transportation.

Online publication date: Mon, 06-Feb-2017

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