Reference document to support discussions on the terms of reference for the LCA informal group.

Proposal to define service life for each region or country of usage based on average vehicle age at recycling point, establish methodologies for calculating deterioration factors for fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles and off-vehicle charging hybrid electric vehicles, exclude traction battery and fuel cell system replacement by default unless practitioners provide detailed justification grounded in empirical field study data or official manufacturer statements concerning durability and replacement practices, and clarify that for Japan, no statistics on service life in kilometres or years are currently available, requiring use of default regional values or peer-reviewed alternatives where Japanese data cannot be obtained.

This document proposes a new Mutual Resolution No. 5 concerning Automotive Life Cycle Assessment. The use stage section (6.3) establishes methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption during vehicle operation across various levels, considering system boundaries encompassing tank-to-wheel and well-to-tank impacts, plus maintenance and consumables. Service life values are defined regionally based on average vehicle age at recycling. Energy consumption utilizes regional certification protocols adjusted by discrepancy and deterioration factors. The methodology addresses leakages including hydrogen and methane emissions, maintenance of consumables and parts with specified frequencies, and excludes major powertrain component replacement by default unless justified.