Abstract
Life cycle environmental evaluation of an electric-assist bicycle has been discussed in terms of materials supply, production, use and the recycling/disposal stages, and the effectiveness of such a bicycle is compared with existing transportation from the viewpoint of carbon dioxide emissions. In the life cycle environmental evaluation, in-vehicle fuel cell power generator is applied as an energy source for the electric-assist bicycle as well as commercial purchased electricity. Its transportation by scooter, passenger car and light truck is chosen here for comparison. The factors affecting the environmental impact of each type of transportation device were shown. The environmental impact of the electric-assist bicycle, given its commercial purchased electricity power supply, has a minimal environmental impact in this study. As a result, the electric-assist bicycle was found to be effective for short-distance transport of as in a factoy or a local transportation.
