Light-duty vehicle carbon footprint model

The light-duty vehicle carbon footprint model estimates the life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of light-duty vehicles (LDVs), from raw material extraction to end-of-life. For example, the model can be incorporated into the procurement process to use data collected from light-duty vehicle suppliers to generate a carbon footprint ready for comparison.

On this page

• Objectives
• Scope
• Methodology
• Ongoing development
• More information

Objectives

The model is designed to:

• provide a transparent, comprehensive and flexible Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) model of light-duty vehicles
• be robust by following the guidelines outlined by the International Standards Organization (ISO), particularly ISO standard 14040

Scope

This carbon footprint model covers 5 types of powertrains, including internal combustion engine, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery all-electric and fuel cell electric powertrains. It also covers 3 classes of vehicle, including a passenger car, sport utility vehicle and pickup truck, for a total of 15 types of light-duty vehicles that vary by powertrain and vehicle class.

The model covers the following life-cycle stages:

• resource extraction
• vehicle component manufacturing and assembly
• fuel production
• vehicle use
• vehicle end-of-life

Methodology

The model is based on LCA work conducted by the National Research Council of Canada.

It uses data from the GREET (Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies) model developed by the Argonne National Laboratory in the United States, and from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Fuel LCA model.

The model was developed in openLCA, a free and open-source LCA software. The model uses the ecoinvent database as the background life cycle inventory database. To generate LCA results from the model, the user needs an ecoinvent database licence, with the ecoinvent life cycle inventory database installed in openLCA.

Ongoing development

Ongoing development and maintenance of the model will be undertaken based on engagement with stakeholders and other governmental departments, comments received from the public, as well as issues identified by Public Services and Procurement Canada.

More information

Contact the Green and Clean Technology Procurement Technical Team for more information: tpsgc.paachatsecologiques-apgreenprocurement.pwgsc@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.