A Study on Methodology for Predicting Carbon Emissions Caused by Material Changes in Heat Sinks During the Development of Electric Vehicle Inverter Components

This study aimed to develop an effective carbon management strategy by comparing aluminum and copper as heat sink materials in the production of inverter modules for electric vehicles. Power consumption data for both materials were collected throughout the production process, and emissions were calculated using the rated power and processing time per unit. The analysis revealed that aluminum emits 0.00593 tCO₂e, while copper emits 0.01164 tCO₂e, resulting in a 51% reduction with aluminum. This result supports the use of aluminum as a sustainable material. Using this approach, manufacturers can optimize material selection and processes from the early stages, allowing for better emissions control throughout the product’s lifecycle and contributing to sustainable manufacturing practices.