The VUB team within the MAXIMA project has developed a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) platform to support the sustainable design of the MAXIMA eMotor. This tool enables users to assess the environmental impacts of the motor from raw material extraction to real-world operation on the road. Its full lifecycle (i.e., with the inclusion of end-of-life treatment) will be implemented at a later stage.
How the Platform Works
The platform is built around three key modules: Materials Inventory, Use Phase Simulation, and Design Parameters.
Materials Inventory
Users can define the quantity of core materials used in the eMotor, such as permanent magnets, coils, soft magnetic composites (SMC), and electrical steel. By entering the exact mass of each component, the tool calculates the environmental footprint of the production phase.
Use Phase Simulation
The second module models the motor’s impact during use, taking into account realistic driving conditions. Users input parameters such as the expected lifetime driving distance (e.g., 200,000 km), WLTC (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycle) energy losses per cycle, and the rolling resistance coefficient of the vehicle.
Using these inputs, the tool calculates energy consumption over the motor’s lifetime.
A critical part of the simulation is the choice of electricity mix, as the carbon intensity of electricity generation directly influences operational emissions. The platform currently supports three regional profiles:
- Poland represents a high-emissions scenario, as the energy grid remains heavily reliant on coal.
- EU Average reflects a typical mix of fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewable sources, offering a moderate carbon footprint.
- Sweden provides a low-emissions scenario. As a global leader in decarbonisation, Sweden’s energy system is largely powered by hydro and nuclear, with a growing share of wind energy.
Design Parameters
The tool supports iterative design evaluation. Each version can be named and tracked (e.g., Version 0), enabling users to analyze how design changes—such as weight, material composition, or efficiency—affect environmental performance. This supports informed decision-making and trade-off analysis, encouraging designs that balance performance with sustainability goals.
This LCA platform equips engineers and designers with the tools needed to assess, compare, and improve eMotor designs based on environmental impact. By combining detailed material data with real-world use modeling and region-specific energy mixes, the platform provides a powerful foundation for ecodesign within the MAXIMA project.
Take a closer look on the following YouTube video:
Want to learn more about Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?
Here you have a detailed infographic and a couple of videos, where Léa D’Amore describes Maxima’s work in this field.
