Life cycle water use of gasoline and electric light-duty vehicles in China

Abstract

The cradle-to-grave life cycle water withdrawal and consumption for typical light-duty gasoline and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) produced and operated in China is estimated for the first time. The life cycle withdrawal and consumption are 275 and 137 m3 for the gasoline, and 851 and 262 m3 for the electric Ford Focus (using national average grid electricity). The life cycle water estimates are dominated by water used for fuel production (gasoline or electricity). For the current national average grid, BEVs are more water intensive than conventional gasoline vehicles although the transition towards more solar and wind power will narrow this gap. The Focus BEV, if produced and operated on solar photovoltaic electricity, will have life cycle water withdrawal and consumption of 181 and 47 m3. Using wind electricity, the water withdrawal and consumption can be further reduced to 113 and 43 m3. Life cycle water withdrawal associated with vehicle use in China is approximately a factor of 2–4 lower than in the U.S. reflecting lower water withdrawal for electricity generation in China. Life cycle water consumption of BEVs in China is 50 % higher than in the U.S., mainly reflecting a greater share of hydroelectricity in China. In addition, large regional differences in electricity generation lead to a wide range in water use of BEVs. The results highlight the importance of a transition to renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, to power future sustainable electric mobility and improved energy and water use efficiency in BEV production.