Automotive Materials Life Cycle Assessment Model Released for Use

Updated model evaluates the total vehicle life cycle impact of materials, powertrains, fuels and their sources, total energy consumed

Brussels, 4 August 2009 – WorldAutoSteel has released a 2nd iteration of the automotive materials parametric Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model, which allows for broader evaluations of automotive materials, powertrains, fuels and vehicle total energy consumed.  Automakers can now evaluate more comprehensively material selections decisions and their affect on green house gas emissions, with additional options for materials, emerging powertrains and fuel sources.  The Phase 2 model was developed under the leadership of Dr. Roland Geyer of the University of California’s Bren School for Environmental Science.

The LCA approach assists automakers in evaluating and reducing the total energy consumed and the lifetime GHG emissions of their products.


Using an LCA approach reveals that the lightest material is not necessarily the least carbon intensive. In this video, Dr. Geyer explains why.