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ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Automotive OEMs Target Net Zero CO2 Between 2030 and 2040
To meet legislative targets, the automotive industry usually
improves vehicle emissions and propulsion system technolo-
gy. This approach might change with the life cycle CO2e (CO2
equivalent) application. Automotive suppliers are committing
to the automotive OEMs’ CO2e targets and measures much
earlier than legislation requires. CO2e labeling of products,
including reporting the CO2e value at product level and the
application of maximum footprint thresholds, is set to become
mandatory in 2025. In the long term, manufacturers will
require CO2e data exchange using energy measurement and
encrypted data transfer.
The increased reporting requirements come with CO2e reduc-
tion plans and roadmaps for each component supplied.
Need for Detailed Assessment of Carbon Footprint for All Tech-
nology Options and Steps in the Life Cycle
To limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transport
sector, we need to address all aspects of the life cycle, includ-
ing production, in-use, and recycling. Battery electric vehicles
(BEV) have significant GHG emission benefits during the
in-use phase compared to conventional vehicles. The greatest
potential for improvement in CO2e reduction for the battery lies
in the area of raw materials and manufacturing. Nevertheless,
other components such as the electrical drive unit (EDU) also
have sustainability aspects that can contribute to the CO2e
reduction in the life cycle. A 5 % increase in EDU efficiency for
a base BEV can save nearly a ton of CO2e over a distance of
250,000 km. A future proven EDU concept needs to comply
with a sustainable design to reduce the CO2e footprint. Proper
methodologies and guidelines are needed for design-to-multi-
life-cycle approaches.
Trend 03
Trend 04
OEM requirements
EU regulation
2020
2025
2030
2035
2040
EU border tax for selected
raw materials
EU CO2 labeling at
product level
EU data exchange on
CO2 data in life cycle
Basic commitment to
sustainability
CO2 labeling becomes
mandatory at OEMs
OEMs require life cycle
CO2 data exchange
• UN Sustainable
Development Goals
(SDGs)
• Science-Based Target
Initiative
• Reporting at product
level
• Start of max. life cycle
footprint thresholds
• Blockchain encrypted
data transfer
• Energy measurements
converted to CO2 data
Production
Use
End of Life
H2
SynFuel
Raw Material
Manufacturing
Energy
Generation
Fuels
Driving
Recycling & Re-Use
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