Assessing the environmental impact of low carbon fuels in light-duty combustion engine vehicles

This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impacts associated to different low carbon fuels in internal combustion engine vehicles using life cycle assessment. The study focuses on global warming potential, terrestrial acidification, fine particle matter formation, human health ozone formation, and water consumption as key impact categories. The study concludes that for internal combustion engine vehicles, there is an almost linear increase in global warming potential over a vehicle's lifespan, regardless of the fuel. Low carbon fuels show positive impact compared to their fossil counterpart; however, the significance of vehicle manufacturing and maintenance still represents an important proportion of the GWP. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of considering impact categories beyond global warming potential when assessing fuel options, particularly regarding NOx emissions and their effects on terrestrial acidification, fine particle matter formation and human health ozone formation. It highlights the need to consider water consumption in the production of biofuels, as unsustainable practices can lead to high water consumption and adverse environmental consequences. This research provides valuable insights into the complexities of assessing environmental impacts in the automotive industry and the potential benefits of adopting more sustainable fuel options.