As automobiles become more motorized and intelligent, multifunctional power seats have become an important part of the modern vehicle. Related environmental performance and green level throughout the entire life cycle of the vehicle, from design and manufacture to scrap recovery, have attracted much attention. Based on a vehicle life cycle assessment model established previously, this study proposed a mathematical model for evaluating the full life cycle of automotive power seat environmental emissions, considering scrap recycling. Environmental emissions throughout the full life cycle of a typical vehicle power seat in China were assessed, and two key factors with great uncertainty, material regeneration rate and motor efficiency, were selected for sensitivity analysis. By combining evaluation and sensitivity analysis results, both static and dynamic scenario simulations, which is a novel method, were carried out to investigate the electromotive process of the power seat. Results showed various emissions from the power seat during the usage phase were the greatest of its life cycle. Specifically, CO2 emission was the largest, and steel regeneration rate and fuel efficiency were the most sensitive to the environmental impact equivalent. In addition, when the material regeneration rate and motor efficiency were increased to the same degree, the power seat with more motors exhibited less effect on the environment. Accordingly, the power seat with a higher electromotive degree was more sensitive to the rate of material regeneration and motor efficiency. This article provides quantitative reference for green design of the power seat.
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