Electric or internal combustion vehicles? A Life Cycle Assessment in São Paulo

To reduce Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions and contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11 (Sustainable Cities) and 13 (Climate Action), replacing Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles (ICEVs) with Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) is a key policy action. This study evaluates and compares the GHG emissions of BEVs and ICEVs in a Global South megacity (São Paulo), with diverse fuel options (gasoline and ethanol) and a cleaner electricity mix, through a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), covering the Production Phase (Cradle-to-Gate), Use Phase (Well-to-Wheel), and End-of-Life Phase. Factors such as battery capacity fade, driving style, and driving cycle are also considered. Results indicate that gasoline-fuelled ICEVs are significantly worse in terms of GHG emissions. BEVs, particularly with the Brazilian clean electricity grid mix, offer substantial emission reductions for light-duty vehicles. Using ethanol as a fuel can be a viable interim practice, as emissions from ethanol-fuelled ICEVs are comparable to BEVs. The recycling of vehicles and batteries and the potential for secondary battery use are crucial parameters affecting overall emissions across different scenarios. This research aims to aid policymakers in developing effective strategies and public policies for energy efficiency and GHG emission reduction in vehicles. It advances knowledge on vehicle emissions by utilizing comprehensive data from a city with diverse fuel options and a cleaner energy mix. Notably, this paper is a pioneer in applying a full LCA to BEV adoption in a Global South city.