Towards a Just Electric Vehicle Transition in North America: Analysis of Regional Trade and its Effects on Supply and Life Cycle Impacts

Electric vehicle (EV) adoption promises emissions reduction and economic growth but poses challenges like production scalability and environmental impacts. The North American trade bloc (NA) stands out as a compelling case study in the global EV landscape. Not only is it one of the world's largest light-duty vehicle (LDV) production hubs and consumer markets, with rapidly increasing demand for EVs, but also features significant flows of second-hand (SH) vehicle trade from the United States (US) to Mexico. Mexico, a key stakeholder in North American LDV supply, accounts for 24% of regional production and 57% of exports in 2022. However, Mexico receives nearly 80% of regional SH vehicle exports, adversely affecting the environment, public safety, and the country's automotive industry. With increasing EV demand, EVs have entered the international SH vehicle market, risking economic and environmental burdens through spent batteries. This research addresses challenges associated with the EV transition in North America. Chapter 1 introduces the Model for iNternational EV Trade (MONET), utilizing input-output modeling, matrix balancing, and policy analysis to assess EV demand effects on the region's automotive industry. Insights from MONET support policy and industrial planning in response to the EV transition. Chapters 2 and 3 focus on US-Mexico SH EV exports, using Industrial ecology methods, including system dynamics modeling, material flow analysis, and life cycle assessment. Scenario analyses anticipate exported SH EV flows and life cycle performance, informing policy interventions to support regional critical mineral circularity and mitigate environmental burdens, maximizing regional benefits.

• Record URL:
  https://ncst.ucdavis.edu/project/towards-just-electric-vehicle-transition-north-america-analysis-regional-trade-and-its

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $20000
• Contract Numbers:

  DOT 69A3552348319

  DOT 69A3552344814

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  National Center for Sustainable Transportation

  University of California, Davis
  Davis, CA  United States 

  University of California, Davis

  1 Shields Ave
  Davis, California  United States  95616
• Managing Organizations:

  National Center for Sustainable Transportation

  University of California, Davis
  Davis, CA  United States 

  University of California, Davis

  1 Shields Ave
  Davis, California  United States  95616
• Project Managers:

  Cliff, Sydney

• Performing Organizations:

  National Center for Sustainable Transportation

  University of California, Davis
  Davis, CA  United States 

  University of California, Davis

  1 Shields Ave
  Davis, California  United States  95616
• Principal Investigators:

  Pares, Francisco

  Kendall, Alissa

• Start Date: 20241001
• Expected Completion Date: 20250930
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile industry; Electric vehicles; Exports; Life cycle analysis; Market assessment; Materials; Used vehicle industry
• Geographic Terms: Mexico; United States
• Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01931104
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: National Center for Sustainable Transportation
• Contract Numbers: DOT 69A3552348319, DOT 69A3552344814
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Sep 17 2024 4:39PM