The carbon footprint of a vehicle, particularly at the point of purchase or production, is influenced by its weight, materials composition, and the energy involved in manufacturing. Different types of vehicles—such as passenger cars, light commercial vehicles (vans), and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)—vary significantly in their carbon footprint depending on several factors, including:
- Vehicle Type (e.g., passenger car, van, HGV),
- Drive System (internal combustion engine (ICE) or electric battery (EV)),
- Material Composition (e.g., steel, aluminium, plastics, rubber, glass, battery materials),
- Manufacturing Process (higher energy requirements for EVs due to battery production).
ICE vehicles tend to have lower production emissions because they lack large battery packs, which are energy-intensive to produce. Electric vehicles, however, are associated with higher emissions at the production stage due to the lithium-ion battery, which contributes significantly to both the vehicle’s weight and carbon emissions.
The kerb weight (unladen weight without load, passengers, or driver) of the vehicle serves as a crucial parameter for calculating its carbon footprint.
Calculation Process Using Material and Energy Data
Material Composition by Vehicle Type and Drive System:
- Each vehicle type and drive system combination (e.g., ICE passenger car, EV van) has a specific breakdown of materials by percentage. For example, an ICE car might contain 63% steel and iron, while an electric HGV might contain 20% lithium-ion battery by weight.
- Using industry averages for these compositions, the tool allocates portions of the kerb weight to each material.
Applying UK Government Carbon Factors:
- The UK government provides standard carbon factors for the production and disposal of key vehicle materials, including steel, aluminium, plastics, rubber, glass, and lithium-ion battery components.
- For each material type, the calculator multiplies the material weight (based on the kerb weight and composition) by its corresponding production and disposal carbon factors, resulting in emissions values for each material.
Incorporating Energy Required for Production:
- Additional emissions from the energy used in production are factored in based on typical kWh requirements. ICE vehicles require less energy for production, while EVs are more energy-intensive due to the battery manufacturing process. The energy emissions are added to the material emissions to give a full production carbon footprint for the vehicle.
Vehicle Carbon Footprint Overview
Each type has unique emissions characteristics:
- Passenger Cars: The carbon footprint of a passenger car varies widely, with ICE cars averaging around 5-17 tonnes CO₂e for production, and EVs reaching 10-17 tonnes CO₂e. Material use is dominated by steel, aluminium, and plastic, with EVs requiring additional emissions for battery production.
- Light Commercial Vehicles (Vans): Vans have a higher production footprint, with ICE versions around 8-20 tonnes CO₂e and EVs around 20-25 tonnes CO₂e. The material composition mirrors passenger cars but with more reinforced materials and often larger batteries for EVs, adding significantly to the carbon footprint.
- Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs): HGVs have the largest production footprint due to their heavy-duty requirements and extensive use of steel. Diesel HGVs average 30-45 tonnes CO₂e, while electric HGVs can reach up to 50-60 tonnes CO₂e due to massive battery packs, which add substantially to weight and emissions.
Key Points on ICE vs. EV Manufacturing
- Electric vehicles present a unique challenge for carbon footprint calculation, as their production involves more energy-intensive steps, especially for battery manufacturing. The battery alone can account for 25-40% of the total production emissions of an EV.
- In contrast, ICE vehicles, which do not require batteries, have a smaller manufacturing footprint but contribute higher operational emissions over their lifetime. This distinction in manufacturing impact is essential in determining a vehicle’s full lifecycle emissions, providing insight into both the upfront (production) and operational phases of the carbon footprint.
- By integrating these calculations into the carbon reporting tool, businesses can better understand the environmental impact of their fleet purchases. This tool enables users to make more informed decisions on vehicle types and drive systems based on upfront carbon costs and contributes to more comprehensive corporate carbon reporting.
Try our ‘new’ New Vehicle Carbon Footprint Calculator now.
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