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WorldAutoSteel Calls for Consideration of LCA in Vehicle Regulations
12/02/2011 - WorldAutoSteel urges all regions to shift the basis of vehicle emissions regulations from tailpipe emissions to life cycle assessment (LCA), which considers emissions from all aspects of a vehicle’s life. The association lauded recent U.S. rulemaking that seeks input concerning the use of LCA.
With negotiations taking place at the Durban COP-17 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), WorldAutoSteel felt compelled to call on all regions to shift the basis of vehicle emissions regulations from tailpipe emissions to life cycle assessment (LCA), which considers emissions from all aspects of a vehicle’s life, including material production, manufacturing, driving, and end-of-life-recycling.
The association referenced recent U.S. rulemaking on more stringent vehicle fuel and emissions requirements that seek input concerning the use of LCA as an example. On November 16, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for fuel economy and emissions for passenger cars and light trucks that will raise the industry average to 54.5 mpg from 2017 to 2025.
According to the new U.S. rulemaking, the EPA seeks comment on studies and research regarding information on lifecycle impacts of future advanced technologies.
"It is a great accomplishment for the fight against climate change that NHTSA and EPA consider LCA to be an important aspect in future vehicle regulations," said Cees ten Broek, Director of WorldAutoSteel. "When vehicle emissions assessment is focused solely on emissions produced during the driving phase (tailpipe), this encourages the use of greenhouse gas-intensive manufacturing phase technologies, such as low-density materials, in an effort to reduce fuel consumption. However, in many cases the advantages these technologies provide in tailpipe emissions reduction may not be sufficient to offset the high manufacturing emissions.”
Outside the U.S., the EU is preparing the midterm review of emission standards for new cars, expected by the end of 2012, according to WorldAutoSteel, and vehicle efficiency standards are also being assessed in many Asia-Pacific countries. Therefore, the industry is calling for a shift from tailpipe emissions regulations to an LCA approach that effectively measures the carbon footprint of vehicles.
WorldAutoSteel, the automotive group of the World Steel Association, is comprised of 17 major global steel producers from around the world. Its mission is to advance and communicate steel’s unique ability to meet the automotive industry’s needs and challenges in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way. WorldAutoSteel is committed to a low carbon future, the principles of which are embedded in its continuous research, manufacturing processes, and in the advancement of automotive steel products.
