A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of an Electric and a Conventional Mid-Segment Car: Evaluating the Role of Critical Raw Materials in Potential Abiotic Resource Depletion

Andrea Cappelli, Nicola Stefano Trimarchi, Simone Marzeddu, Riccardo Paoli and Francesco Romagnoli ()
Additional contact information
Andrea Cappelli: Department of Chemical Engineering Materials Environment (DICMA), Faculty of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
Nicola Stefano Trimarchi: Department of Chemical Engineering Materials Environment (DICMA), Faculty of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
Simone Marzeddu: Department of Civil, Constructional and Environmental Engineering (DICEA), Faculty of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
Riccardo Paoli: Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, Azenes iela 12/1, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
Francesco Romagnoli: Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, Azenes iela 12/1, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-36

Abstract: Electric passenger vehicles are set to dominate the European car market, driven by EU climate policies and the 2035 ban on internal combustion engine production. This study assesses the sustainability of this transition, focusing on global warming potential and Critical Raw Material (CRM) extraction throughout its life cycle. The intensive use of CRMs raises environmental, economic, social, and geopolitical concerns. These materials are scarce and are concentrated in a few politically sensitive regions, leaving the EU highly dependent on external suppliers. The extraction, transport, and refining of CRMs and battery production are high-emission processes that contribute to climate change and pose risks to ecosystems and human health. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted, using OpenLCA software and the Ecoinvent 3.10 database, comparing a Peugeot 308 in its diesel and electric versions. This study adopts a cradle-to-grave approach, analyzing three phases: production, utilization, and end-of-life treatment. Key indicators included Global Warming Potential (GWP100) and Abiotic Resource Depletion Potential (ADP) to assess CO 2 emissions and mineral resource consumption. Technological advancements could mitigate mineral depletion concerns. Li-ion battery recycling is still underdeveloped, but has high recovery potential, with the sector expected to expand significantly. Moreover, repurposing used Li-ion batteries for stationary energy storage in renewable energy systems can extend their lifespan by over a decade, decreasing the demand for new batteries. Such innovations underscore the potential for a more sustainable electric vehicle industry.

Keywords: life cycle assessment; internal combustion engine vehicle; electric vehicle; Critical Raw Materials; environmental impacts (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3698/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3698/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:14:p:3698-:d:1700815

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().