Abstract

In order to reduce CO_2 emissions from automobiles, a highly fuel-efficient hybrid vehicle, the "Insight", has been developed at Honda. Life cycle CO_2 emissions are compared for the aluminum-bodied Insight, a simulated steel-bodied Insight, and a conventional gasoline vehicle. Life cycle CO_2 emission is still dominated by the in-use fuel consumption. However, the contribution of CO_2 emission from material use and processing could increase when the vehicle fuel consumption is greatly reduced. The use of recycled aluminum reduces CO_2 emission from the aluminum-bodied Insight.