Title: Life-cycle assessment of batteries in the context of the EU Directive on end-of-life vehicles

Authors: Julien Matheys, Joeri Van Mierlo, Jean-Marc Timmermans, Peter Van den Bossche

Addresses: Department of Electrical Engineering and Energy Technology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Building Z, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium. ' Department of Electrical Engineering and Energy Technology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Building Z, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium. ' Department of Electrical Engineering and Energy Technology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Building Z, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium. ' Department of Industrial Science and Technology, Erasmus Hogeschool Brussel, Nijverheidskaai 170, B-1070, Brussels, Belgium

Abstract: In this paper, the results of a life-cycle assessment of different types of traction batteries for battery and hybrid electric vehicles are presented. The life-cycle assessment approach allows the attribution of a single score to the various battery technologies. This analysis provides policy-makers with some clear information regarding the environmental impacts of the different battery technologies. When adding this information to the technical and economic information related to the different technologies, this allows decision-making based on some comprehensive and sound data.

Keywords: traction batteries; energy storage; battery electric vehicles; hybrid electric vehicles; HEVs; environment; life-cycle assessment; LCA; EU Directives; end-of-life vehicles; environmental impact; vehicle design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2008.017182

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2008 Vol.46 No.2, pp.189 - 203

Published online: 17 Feb 2008 *

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