IREC has contributed to the recently completed IEA TCP on Electric Vehicles Task 46, a global initiative assessing the full life-cycle environmental impacts of electric trucks, buses, specialised vehicles and V2X services. The project, led by Joanneum Research (Austria), brought together partners from Austria, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, the USA, and the European Commission, with observing partners in Turkey and Australia.

Representing Spain, IREC researcher Víctor José Ferreira from the Energy Systems Analytics Department, contributed expertise on life-cycle assessment (LCA) and sustainable mobility, supporting the development of a common international methodology. REC actively supported the development of a common international methodological framework for assessing environmental impacts across different electric vehicle technologies.

Task 46 focused on evaluating not only greenhouse-gas emissions and energy use, but also the new concepts of Climate Neutrality Potential and Circularity Potential.  These concepts provide a more comprehensive perspective on how electric mobility solutions contribute to long-term sustainability goals.

Using a dynamic LCA approach, the consortium analysed a wide range of applications, including heavy-duty trucks, buses, fire and mining vehicles, light electric vehicles and V2X services. Results consistently showed that battery-electric vehicles powered by renewable electricity achieve the lowest overall environmental impacts. The analysis also highlighted the strong influence of vehicle energy demand, electricity mix, battery size and operational lifetime.

The study further confirms that only energy systems based on renewable sources can move towards climate neutrality, and that full climate neutrality can only be achieved when combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions.

The outcomes of Task 46 are already informing policy and industry stakeholders at the international level. Building on these results, the partners have launched the new IEA EV Task 52 “Electric Vehicles and Circularity”, which will continue advancing circularity-focused approaches in electric mobility. It will further develop circularity-oriented assessment approaches for electric mobility. IREC will also participate in this new task.

Through its involvement in Task 46, IREC reinforces its commitment to scientifically robust life-cycle assessment to national and international collaboration and evidence-based support for the transition towards sustainable transport systems.