Vehicle Manufacturing Futures in Transportation Life-cycle Assessment

Vehicle manufacturing effects are critical life-cycle components in the total costs of vehicle travel and future manufacturing processes should be evaluated for travel forecasts. With efforts to introduce lightweight materials, increased fuel economy, and new technologies such as electric vehicles, understanding the energy and environmental effects of these expected vehicles is critical. Current vehicle manufacturing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions are summarized from existing research for passenger (conventional gasoline vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, aircraft, high-speed rail) and freight (trucks, trains, and ocean going vessels) modes. Future vehicle manufacturing effects are then determined incorporating the aforementioned modes as well as plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles.