Mercedes-Benz E-Class Manual page 11

2.2 LCA results for the new E-Class E 220 d Saloon
Over the entire lifecycle of the new E-Class 220 d, the life-
cycle inventory analysis yields according to the method of
electricity generation e. g. a primary energy consumption
of 581 gigajoules (corresponding to the energy content of
around 16,000 litres of petrol), an environmental input of
approx. 36 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂), around
15 kilograms of non-methane volatile organic compounds
(NMVOC), around 45 kilograms of nitrogen oxides (NOx)
and 35 kilograms of sulphur dioxide (SO₂). In addition to the
analysis of the overall results, the distribution of individual
environmental impacts over the various phases of the life-
cycle is investigated. The relevance of the respective
lifecycle phases depends on the particular environmental
impact under consideration. For CO₂-emissions, and like-
wise for primary energy requirements, the operating phase
dominates with a share of 76 and 73 percent respectively
(see Figure 2-3).
Figure 2-3: Overall carbon dioxide emissions (CO₂) in tons
Car production Fuel production
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Operation End of Life
0.4
25.5
2.1
8.3
E 220 d
However, it is not the use of the vehicle alone which determines
its environmental compatibility. Some environmentally
relevant emissions are caused principally by manufacturing,
for example SO₂ and NOx emissions (see Figure 2-5). The
production phase must therefore be included in the analysis
of ecological compatibility.
During the use phase of the vehicle, many of the emissions
these days are dominated less by the actual operation
of the vehicle and far more by the production of fuel, as for
example in the case of the NMVOC and SO₂ emissions and
the inherently associated environmental impacts such as the
summer smog (POCP) and acidification potential (AP).
Figure 2-4: Overall nitric oxides emissions (NOx) in kilograms
Car production Fuel production
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Operation End of Life
0.3
14.0
13.0
17.7
E 220 d
Livecycle Overall 11