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A critical comparison of LCA calculation models for the power lithium-ion battery in electric vehicles during use-phase

Author

Listed:
  • Chen, Quanwei
  • Lai, Xin
  • Chen, Junjie
  • Huang, Yunfeng
  • Guo, Yi
  • Wang, Yanan
  • Han, Xuebing
  • Lu, Languang
  • Sun, Yuedong
  • Ouyang, Minggao
  • Zheng, Yuejiu

Abstract

Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly prevalent as an effective solution to reduce resource scarcity and greenhouse gas emissions. As the core component of electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) play a crucial role in energy storage and conversion. When LIBs are used in long-term service, it is essential to carefully consider the impact of modeling methods on both the environmental benefits and burdens associated with their usage. In this study, eight calculation models are chosen, and multiple environmental impacts of battery use-phase are compared based on life cycle assessment. The application of different computational models produced widely varying results, and previous conclusions regarding the environmental impacts of battery usage need to be revisited. Moreover, the different models during the battery use-phase exhibits an outstanding contribution to the life cycle carbon footprint and midpoint indicators. Sensitivity analysis reveals that battery efficiency is the most sensitive parameter to environmental indicators during use. Environmental impacts during the battery use-phase should consider the characteristics of different models to ensure the reliability and comparability of the study.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Quanwei & Lai, Xin & Chen, Junjie & Huang, Yunfeng & Guo, Yi & Wang, Yanan & Han, Xuebing & Lu, Languang & Sun, Yuedong & Ouyang, Minggao & Zheng, Yuejiu, 2024. "A critical comparison of LCA calculation models for the power lithium-ion battery in electric vehicles during use-phase," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 296(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:296:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224009484
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.131175
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Feng, Tao & Guo, Wei & Wu, Jun & Meng, Zhenghua & Hua, Lin & Zhao, Feng & Zhao, Jialong, 2024. "Energy transition in the new era: The impact of renewable electric power on the life cycle assessment of automotive power batteries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 236(C).
    2. Feng, Jianghong & Chen, Feng, 2025. "A recycling mechanism for used electric vehicle batteries by integrating affine maximizer auction and fuzzy axiomatic design method," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).
    3. Wang, Fengfei & Tang, Shengjin & Han, Xuebing & Wu, Yu & Lu, Languang & Yu, Chuanqiang & Sun, Xiaoyan & Ouyang, Minggao, 2025. "Flexible upper cut-off voltage regulation for life extension of lithium-ion batteries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 318(C).
    4. Yang, Bangshun & Hao, Qianwen & Zhang, Wei & Li, Wenbo & Li, Chengjiang, 2025. "Evaluating alternative methanol fuel cell vehicles based on life cycle assessment with system dynamics," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 340(C).
    5. Roman Meinhold & Christoph Wagner & Bablu Kumar Dhar, 2025. "Digital sustainability and eco‐environmental sustainability: A review of emerging technologies, resource challenges, and policy implications," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 2323-2338, April.
    6. Andrea Cappelli & Nicola Stefano Trimarchi & Simone Marzeddu & Riccardo Paoli & Francesco Romagnoli, 2025. "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," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-36, July.
    7. Zhao, Xinwei & Liu, Yonggui & Xiao, Bin, 2025. "Enhanced prediction for battery aging capacity using an efficient temporal convolutional network," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).

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