Environmental vehicle rating system

A rating system, used to compare the environmental damage caused by vehicles, in order to allow decision-makers to draw (non-)fiscal policies and measures taking into account their impact on the environment, is analysed and evaluated. The analysis of rating systems comprises the study of the effects on numerous receptors such as ecosystems, buildings, and human beings (e.g. cancer, respiratory diseases, etc.) caused by different types of pollutions (acid rain, photochemical air pollution, noise pollution, and global warming, etc.). The methodology described, known as Ecoscore, is based on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach which considers the contribution of emissions to certain types of damage (e.g. by using the Exposure-Response damage function). Total emissions include oil extraction, transport and refinery, fuel distribution, and electricity generation and distribution (Well-to-Wheel approach). Emissions due to the production, use, and dismantling of the vehicle (Cradle-to- Grave approach) could be considered as well. Assessment is made possible by normalising the different types of damage. A reference value assigned to a predetermined reference vehicle is defined as a target value (the normalised value thus determines a kind of 'distance to target' consideration). The contribution of the different normalised types of damage to a single value, Ecoscore, is based on a panel weighting method. This new approach has been especially developed for the evaluation of the environmental damage caused by vehicle emissions in an urban context, such as the Brussels Capital Region and differs in that option from other methodologies. Additionally this methodology does not only consider conventional vehicles, but it can also assess all alternative fuels and propulsion systems with new vehicle technologies, such as electric and hybrid vehicles. A detailed description of the methodology itself can be found in reference [1]. In this paper the methodology is summarised and illustrated by some examples of Ecoscore calculation. Additionally new recent amendments of the methodology are highlighted. Finally, a sensitivity analysis demonstrates the robustness of the Ecoscore model.