A Life-Cycle-Based Environmental Evaluation: Materials in New Generation Vehicles

This project team conducted a life-cycle-based environmental evaluation of new, lightweight materials (e.g., titanium, magnesium) used in two concept 3XVs -- i.e., automobiles that are three times more fuel efficient than today's automobiles -- that are being designed and developed in support of the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) program. The two concept vehicles studied were the DaimlerChrysler ESX2 and the Ford P2000. Data for this research were drawn from a wide range of sources, including: the two automobile manufacturers; automobile industry reports; government and proprietary databases; past life-cycle assessments; interviews with industry experts; and models.

The major findings of this materials research project were:

• 3XVs are predicted to yield significant overall reductions in carbon monoxide and greenhouse gases, although emissions of sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) and two perfluorocarbons (CF₄ and C₂F₆), gases with very high global warming potentials, will increase because of their current use in the production of magnesium and aluminum, respectively;
• there will likely be increases in the emissions of NO_x and particulate matter due to the use of diesel engines in the 3XVs; however, it appears that it will be feasible for the 3XVs to meet proposed regulations for these pollutants through the use of pre- and post-combustion technologies;
• the lifetime energy consumption is reduced by over 50%, where the savings from fuel use easily overcome the increases noted in the extraction and materials processing life-cycle stage from the use of aluminum, magnesium, and titanium; and
• lifetime solid waste generation may increase slightly due to increased quantities of solid wastes generated during the extraction and materials processing of aluminum, magnesium, and titanium;