The global focus on the reduction of emissions is making itself known in many areas of life: there are new CO₂ targets, regulations, regional incentives, and a carbon tax, which is expected to spur the development of green technology and related industries. Additionally, city restrictions are regulating access through driving bans or sanctions for high emission cars in order to minimize air pollution. Several dozen cities have announced plans to implement zero emission zones (ZEZ) or near-ZEZs in the coming decade.¹ At the same time, means for electric vehicles’ battery life-cycle analysis (LCA) are being developed. Maximum life-cycle carbon footprint thresholds are to be set in 2027. The EU’s new circular economy plan extends this concept to general products. It is one of the main building blocks of the European Green Deal, which encourages sustainable consumption and waste prevention.

^{Sources: 1 ICCT 2021}