This monograph adresses the challenge of the environmental assessment of leightweight electric vehicles. It poses the question whether the use of lightweight materials in electric vehicles can reduce the vehicles’ environmental impact and compares the environmental performance of a lightweight electric vehicle (LEV) to other types of vehicles. The topical approach focuses on methods from life cycle assessment (LCA), and the book concludes with a comprehensive concept on the environmental assessment of LEVs. The target audience primarily comprises LCA practitioners from research institutes and industry, but it may also be beneficial for graduate students specializing in the field of environmental assessment.

This edited open access book gives a comprehensive overview of small and lightweight electric three- and four-wheel vehicles with an international scope. The present status of small electric vehicle (SEV) technologies, the market situation and main hindering factors for market success as well as options to attain a higher market share including new mobility concepts are highlighted. An increased usage of SEVs can have different impacts which are highlighted in the book in regard to sustainable transport, congestion, electric grid and transport-related potentials. To underline the effects these vehicles can have in urban areas or rural areas, several case studies are presented covering outcomes of pilot projects and studies in Europe. A study of the operation and usage in the Global South extends the scope to a global scale. Furthermore, several concept studies and vehicle concepts on the market give a more detailed overview and show the deployment in different applications.

The environmental burden caused by private transportation represents a significant challenge towards sustainability. Electric vehicles are considered a key technology to reduce the environmental impact caused by the mobility sector. However, the global adoption of electromobility implies shift and diversification of the environmental impacts caused by the transportation sector mainly driven by the production of the battery system. Modeling the life cycle environmental impacts of traction batteries is a time demanding and interdisciplinary task as it involves a high variability and requires an in-depth knowledge of the product system under analysis. To face these challenges, an Integrated Computational Life Cycle Engineering ICLCE framework for EVs has been developed. The ICLCE framework described aims at supporting fast and comprehensive modelling of complex foreground systems in the electromobility field and their interaction with diverse backgrounds and partial contexts.

This book presents the final report of the collaborative research project "MultiMaK2": MultiMaK2 contributed to the development of multi-material component concepts in large-scale automotive production. Whithin the project new methods in conceptual design of lightweight components were developed at the example of roof cross member and transmission tunnels. A concurrent Life Cycle Design & Engineering approach led to identifying eco- and cost efficient component alternatives. This includes evaluation tools for the concepts' full life cycle. Further, methods to integrate that knowledge into automotive engineering processes have been established based on principles of visual analytics. That brings forward a tight integration of data, engineering models and results visualization towards an informed knowledge building across disciplines. MultiMaK2 also compiled and structured design guidelines within a knowledge management system. All methods and tools have been embedded within the Life Cycle Design & Engineering Lab in the Open Hybrid LabFactory.

Non-Exhaust Emissions: An Urban Air Quality Problem for Public Health comprehensively summarizes the most recent research in the field, also giving guidance on research gaps and future needs to evaluate the health impact and possible remediation of non-exhaust particle emissions. With contributions from some of the major experts and stakeholders in air quality, this book comprehensively defines the state-of-the-art of current knowledge, gaps and future needs for a better understanding of particulate matter (PM) emissions, from non-exhaust sources of road traffic to improve public health. PM is a heterogeneous mix of chemical elements and sources, with road traffic being the major source in large cities. A significant part of these emissions come from non-exhaust processes, such as brake, tire, road wear, and road dust resuspension. While motor exhaust emissions have been successfully reduced by means of regulation, non-exhaust emissions are currently uncontrolled and their importance is destined to increase and become the dominant urban source of particle matter by 2020. Nevertheless, current knowledge on the non-exhaust emissions is still limited. This is an essential book to researchers and advanced students from a broad range of disciplines, such as public health, toxicology, atmospheric sciences, environmental sciences, atmospheric chemistry and physics, geochemistry, epidemiology, built environment, road and vehicle engineering, and city planning. In addition, European and local authorities responsible for air quality and those in the industrial sectors related to vehicle and brake manufacturing and technological remediation measures will also find the book valuable. - Acts as the first book to explore the health impacts of non-exhaust emissions - Authored by experts from several sectors, including academia, industry and policy - Gathers the relevant body of literature and information, defining the current knowledge, gaps and future needs

This book explores the part that electric vehicles can play in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Further, it explains the impact of public support, technological advances, lower costs and better battery performance in making electric vehicles a viable alternative. The book begins by analyzing the international context of electric vehicles and how they are being developed in different countries, and by offering a forecast of the electricity demand they may create. It then discusses technological innovations in electric vehicle recharging systems. The book is concerned not only with the economic potential of electric vehicles, but also with environmental aspects; consequently, it examines the raw materials supply chain and performs a lifecycle assessment. The book concludes with a chapter on alternative energies in transport, which may also help to facilitate the energy transition. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable resource for researchers, graduate students, policymakers and industry professionals interested in the energy transition and transport.