A new report on material resource flows in the motor industry, produced by Viridis, the environmental arm of the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), and co-funded by the FIA Foundation, has been published. The comprehensive study reveals that vehicle use accounts for 98% of the emissions and waste generated by the UK motor industry.
The study identified and quantified the natural resources used and the wastes and emissions produced by the motor industry in the UK during the year 2000.
The main findings were;
- 7 million tonnes of waste from production, maintenance activities and end of life vehicle arisings were produced.
- Emissions to the air totalled just over 122 million tonnes, over 2 tonnes for each man, women and child in the UK .
- 7 million tonnes of resources were used in the production of new motor vehicles and components, of which 5 million tonnes were incorporated into the production of new components and vehicles.
- 41 million tonnes of oil equivalent is used each year in the running of vehicles and the manufacture of parts and vehicles. 96% of the energy consumption is by vehicles in use, with car use accounting for 63% of this.
The study also carried out an analysis of future trends and influences on the motor industry, which acknowledged that many factors affect resource use. Various scenarios were modelled including the effect of implementing low carbon vehicles. The mass balance data in the report provides important information on resource use and technical recommendations made will help to improve the resource productivity of the motor industry and has international applicability. For a full copy of the report, contact Viridis.
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