A strategic card game about building better eMotors through eco-design choices
At MAXIMA, innovation doesn’t stop at engineering—it extends into how we learn, teach, and explore eco-design. To make sustainability more tangible, we’ve created the MAXIMA LCA Game, a hands-on way to understand how design choices in electric motor development impact the environment.
Game Objective
The aim of the game is to build the most environmentally balanced electric motor design by combining choices across three categories:
- Material Configuration
- Use Scenario (passenger-km)
- Energy Mix
Each decision influences four key environmental performance indicators:
- Climate Impact
- Efficiency
- Resource Depletion
- End-of-Life Impact
The challenge is to balance trade-offs—just like in real-world eco-design.
How to Play
- Shuffle the three decks (Material Configuration, Use Scenario, Energy Mix).
- Each player selects one card from each deck.
- Add the scores for Climate Impact, Efficiency, Resource Depletion, and End-of-Life Impact.
- Compare results using one of two modes.
Mode 1: With Objective Cards
At the start, each player receives an Objective Card. The win condition depends on that card’s focus:
- CO₂ Reducer → Lowest Climate Impact
- Resource Guardian → Lowest Resource Depletion
- Efficiency Master → Highest Efficiency
- Balanced Designer → Closest to an even 50/50/50 profile
- Circular Economy Advocate → Lowest combined Climate + Resource + End-of-Life scores
Mode 2: Without Objective Cards
Players simply compare their total results across the indicators. The winner is the one with the best overall configuration, showing the most balanced or optimal motor design.
Strategy and Discussion
Winning isn’t only about numbers—it’s about understanding trade-offs:
- A motor with high efficiency may rely on scarce resources.
- A recyclable design might slightly reduce performance.
- Clean driving scenarios or greener energy mixes can offset material impacts.
After each round, players are encouraged to discuss their choices and reflect on the lessons for eco-design and sustainable mobility.
Why Play the MAXIMA LCA Game?
- To explore the complexities of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in a fun, interactive way.
- To experience the decision-making process behind sustainable eMotor design.
- To raise awareness about how materials, driving conditions, and energy sources all shape environmental performance.
Who Can Play?
The MAXIMA LCA Game is designed for:
- Students & educators exploring sustainability in engineering.
- Researchers & innovators testing eco-design concepts.
- Anyone curious about how design choices impact clean mobility.
Stay tuned for opportunities to download the game and play it at workshops, classrooms, or public events.
With or without Objective Cards, the MAXIMA LCA Game is about more than winning—it’s about learning how to design cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable eMotors.