CliMAFlux project has released a new deliverable titled D2.5: Report on Benchmark and Specifications of the Holistic Framework for CliMAFlux Results. This document outlines how environmental sustainability is being built into the heart of electric powertrain development.

Rather than treating life cycle assessment as a separate evaluation step, the report proposes integrating it from the earliest stages of the design process. It focuses on the CliMAFlux integrated drive unit and actuator, detailing how their environmental impact can be measured and optimised in parallel with technical performance. From material selection to motor architecture, every choice is seen through the lens of long-term environmental impact.
The deliverable walks through the process of gathering life cycle inventory data and identifies which indicators are most relevant for capturing emissions, energy use, and material efficiency. It also introduces a practical framework to support developers in comparing design solutions based not just on cost or performance, but also on sustainability.

This framework outlines how key performance indicators should be defined across different levels, from single components to full vehicle systems, and explains how this data feeds back into design and validation activities. It includes a structure for ranking alternative technologies, helping teams choose options that strike the right balance between environmental benefits, technical feasibility, and economic viability.

Particular focus is given to the Axial Flux motors being designed within CliMAFlux. Thanks to their compact design and efficient use of materials, including lower quantities of rare earth elements, they show strong potential to outperform conventional solutions both technically and environmentally. The report also emphasises how end-of-life strategies, such as improved recyclability and material recovery, play a key role in reducing long-term impact.

Full document available here.