Life cycle assessment of production and recycling of materials in e-motors used in passenger cars

Abstract

The transportation sector is contributing to global warming, and the electrification in the automotive sector continues to rise. Thus recycling poses promising solutions that can help mitigate global warming. This study examines the life cycle assessment (LCA) impacts of a crucial powertrain component - electric motor. The analysis covers manufacturing, recycling of components, as well as the production and recycling of critical elements like permanent magnets. Housing and rotor production are shown to have the greatest impacts, possibly due to materials like steel, aluminum and permanent magnets. The study and results will also discuss recent advancements and current state-of-the-art recycling processes for e-motors.