LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)

LCA is a method to calculate and the environmental impact of the vehicles' entire life cycle through the raw material procurement, manufacturing, use, recycling, and disposal

Mazda has adopted LCA since 2009, as a way to identify the opportunities for reducing the environmental impact regarding the vehicle life cycle. And Mazda is actively making efforts to reduce the environmental impact at each stage. In addition, Mazda carries out evaluations of the vehicles with new technology related to environmental performance, guaranteeing objectivity and reliability based on methods in accordance with international standards (ISO14040/ISO14044).

Efforts regarding reduction of environmental impact at each stage

For details on the efforts regarding "Product and Technology Development" and "Manufacturing and Logistics", refer to the following:

ENDEAVOR FOR CARBON NEUTRALITY BY 2050

 

Result of LCA efforts

In order to promote the development and introduction of vehicles with reduced environmental impact, Mazda also conducts research activities to gain a better view of the environmental impact in addition to steadily implementing LCA for vehicles with new technologies.

 
Example: Evaluation of the amount of CO2 emissions for internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles

Mazda is working on development to provide multi-solutions which will make it possible for the right solution to be in the right region based on the suitability of the power source of the vehicle, energy situation, and the electric power generation structure in each area.

In FY 2018, Mazda evaluated the CO2emissions in the life cycle of internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles in 5 regions of the world and found that the superiority of the CO2 emissions in the life cycle of the internal combustion vehicles and electric vehicles varies depending on circumstances such as electric power, fuel economy and electric efficiency for each region, and the total traveled distance.

Based on the results of this life cycle assessment, Mazda is promoting the technology development based on the multi-solution approach.

LCA Results in 5 regions

 

Activities and achievements

2019:

Presentation in conference
(Kawamoto et al., “Estimation of CO2 Emissions of Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle and Battery Electric Vehicle Using LCA”, The 9th International Conference on Life Cycle Management, Poland, September 2019)

Research paper
(Kawamoto et al., ”Estimation of CO2 Emissions of Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle and Battery Electric Vehicle Using LCA ”, Sustainability 2019, 11(9), 2690; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11092690)

Presentation in conference
(Kawamoto et al., “Estimation of CO2 Emissions of Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle and Battery Electric Vehicle Using LCA”, The 14th Meeting of the Institute of Life Cycle Assessment, Japan, March 2019)

2013:

Presentation in conference
(Moriguchi, “LCA of vehicle with SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY produced by Mazda”, The 3rd seminar of LCA Society of Japan, November 2013)

MAZDA TECHNICAL REVIEW
(Moriguchi et al., “Life Cycle Assessment of Plastic Recycles - ELV Bumper Materials -”, No.31, 2013, https://www.mazda.com/ja/innovation/technology/gihou/2013/) (in Japanese)

2012:

MAZDA TECHNICAL REVIEW
(Nitta et al., “Mazda Life Cycle Assessment (3rd report) - CX-5 -”, No.30, 2012, https://www.mazda.com/ja/innovation/technology/gihou/2012/) (in Japanese)

Presentation in conference
(Nitta et al., “A General Method of Life Cycle Assessment," SAE Technical Paper 2012-01-0649, 2012, https://doi.org/10.4271/2012-01-0649)

LCA of CX-5 was certified in accordance with the international standards of ISO14040/ISO14044 by a third-party organization (Japan Environmental Management Association for Industry)

2011:

Presentation in conference
(Nitta, “Automobile LCA method reflecting market penetration”, Commemorative lecture in the 8th LCA Society of Japan Award, Japan, December 2011)

Presentation in conference
(Nitta et al., “New Life Cycle Assessment Process for Strategic Reduction of Environmental Burdens”, EcoDesign 2011: 7th International Symposium on Environmentally Conscious Design and Inverse Manufacturing, Kyoto, Japan, Nov 2011)

MAZDA TECHNICAL REVIEW
(Nitta et al., “Mazda Life Cycle Assessment (2nd Report) - New Demio -” No.29, 2011, https://www.mazda.com/ja/innovation/technology/gihou/2011/) (in Japanese)

Presentation in conference
(Nitta et al., “New Methodology of Life Cycle Assessment for Clean Energy Vehicle and New Car Model “, SAE Technical Paper 2011-01-0851, 2011, https://doi.org/10.4271/2011-01-0851)

2010: MAZDA TECHNICAL REVIEW
(Nitta et al., Mazda Life Cycle Assessment. No.28, 2010, https://www.mazda.com/ja/innovation/technology/gihou/2010/)(in Japanese)
2009: Started LCA of new car models and technologies