Global Lifecycle Emissions: Measuring Real Environmental Impact

Today, the only criterion used by the regulators is the level of tail pipe emissions, but in order to compare different technologies and to be «technologically neutral», we need to define a way of measuring the CO2 emissions along the complete lifecycle, «from cradle to grave», i.e. from the extraction of minerals to the end of life of the vehicles. Many companies, agencies and lobbies have defined ways of evaluating the emissions level linked to the manufacturing of the vehicles and to the production of its fuel, it being fossil or electric. The complexity comes from the fact that the emissions from electricity production vary immensely depending on the way electricity is produced. This roundtable will discuss the methodology and results and will debate on how to establish an official rule.