Life Cycle Assessment of Small Passenger Cars in the Context of Smart Grid Integration and Sustainable Power System Development

The accelerating integration of electromobility into renewable-based power systems necessitates a comprehensive understanding of vehicle life cycles and their interactions with emerging smart grid infrastructures. This study employs a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach to evaluate the environmental performance of materials and components used in A- and B-segment passenger vehicles, within the framework of sustainable energy system development. Four propulsion technologies—petrol, diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs)—were analyzed across two technological horizons (2020 and 2050), considering both landfilling and recycling end-of-life scenarios. The results demonstrate that while BEVs offer the lowest operational emissions and the greatest potential for supporting grid flexibility and renewable energy integration, they also exhibit the highest environmental burdens during production, primarily due to battery manufacturing. Nevertheless, the adoption of advanced recycling technologies significantly mitigates these impacts by reducing resource depletion, global warming potential, and cumulative energy demand. The findings highlight that circular material management and high-efficiency recycling are critical enablers of sustainable electromobility. By linking vehicle charging, energy storage, and recycling strategies, the integration of transport and energy systems can enhance grid stability, improve resource efficiency, and accelerate progress toward a decarbonized, resilient, and smart energy future.