Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emission Assessments of Automotive Material: The Example of Mild Steel, Advanced High Strength Steel and Aluminium in Body in White Applications

In this article:

• Executive summary of the report
• Excel worksheet cost model, downloadable for your use.
• Peer-reviewed methodology report

The objective of this study is to benchmark, in terms of their life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, vehicle body-in-white designs based on advanced high-strength steels (AHSS), like ULSAB-AVC, as well as aluminium, compared to designs based on mild steel. For this purpose a parametric spreadsheet model has been developed which calculates life cycle GHG emissions attributable to vehicles as a function of their material composition and powertrain characteristics. Using this model, comparisons were made as to the GHG emissions produced over a vehicle life cycle. A key finding of the study states that based on an attributional LCA and current data uncertainty, there is no conclusive evidence that aluminium-intensive vehicle designs offer any GHG emission savings relative to AHSS-intensive designs like ULSAB-AVC.

Attached is the study's original 2007 parametric model for your download and use.  The model has been continually updated with new materials, fuels, and other parameters, and the updated version is also available by clicking 2010 Updated Model.  (To understand the updates, read this page.)  We welcome you to use the model and enter your own criteria to assess vehicle GHG emissions.  Also attached is an executive summary of Dr. Geyer's report as well as a methodology report outlining the study approach.