Potential Social Impacts regarding working conditions of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

Abstract

For a successful energy and mobility transition, multifaceted technologies, e.g., fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) are developed. Next to technical advantages, environmental, economic, and social aspects must be considered. Especially the social implications for various stakeholders are often neglected but are no less important. Thus, goal of this study is to identify possible social risks associated with the production of an FCEV in Germany, using the concept of Social Life Cycle Assessment. Social topics investigated are association and bargaining rights, trade unionism, fair salary, gender wage gap and weekly hours of work. Results show that the proton exchange membrane fuel cell is a hotspot component, bearing 31–41% of the risk, which is mainly caused by the membrane. Germany is, next to China and India, the major hotspot country, depending on the social topic. Changes in component prices can have an influence on this, as can be seen at the example of the membrane.