The LCA analysis applied to urban mobility

Electric propulsion is the object of intense research efforts all over the world, as a viable solution to fossil resource exploitation and pollutant emissions, towards a sustainable development. In this paper, we perform a thorough Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of multiple electrical solutions for urban mobility, from bicycles to buses, comparing the results to those of traditional, fossil-fuel-based vehicles. T his activity is of particular interest as the decision of European Parliament to interrupt the fossil fuel vehicles starting from 2035. To assess the life-cycle impact of each solution, several routes within middle size Italian cities, representative of the most Italian cities have been considered. This analysis has been performed by means of an ad-hoc integrated procedure with on-line, free tools that account also for traffic distribution. To carry out a complete study, an LCA analysis has been done which includes all life’s phase of the vehicles, starting from production to disposal.