University of Bath

This thesis examines the future carbon footprints of batteries and passenger cars through a prospective life cycle assessment (pLCA) framework, leveraging climate mitigation pathways derived from integrated assessment models (IAMs). The objective is to assess how varying carbon reduction strategies influence the environmental impacts associated with battery production and the use of passenger vehicles. Methodologically, the study utilizes a comprehensive life cycle assessment, accounting for energy systems and sector-specific dynamics. The results indicate that IAMs are particularly adept at evaluating global warming potential, yet they exhibit limitations in addressing other environmental impacts such as resource utilization and toxicities. Notably, the research suggests a need for enhancing sector representation within IAMs to provide a more holistic understanding of environmental consequences and calls for the integration of life-cycle indicators into IAM frameworks. Furthermore, the findings highlight the potential advantages of deploying consequential methods to better explore market dynamics and supply chain alterations, particularly in scenarios where electric vehicle demand outstrips current projections, leading to significant implications for resource management and environmental sustainability.