Electric cars and ecology

The world is striving to introduce increasingly ecological methods of transport. How do electric cars fit into this trend? 

1. The impact of the production of electric cars and batteries on the environment

From an environmental standpoint, the overall production of an electric car is generally comparable to that of a traditional combustion engine car. However, the environmental impact diverges when considering the production of batteries, which are a significant concern. During the manufacturing of a 1-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery, nearly 200 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions may be released into the atmosphere. Importantly, the emissions tend to scale with the size of the battery, meaning that larger batteries can have a more substantial environmental footprint.

This emphasizes the importance of improving the environmental sustainability of battery production processes and exploring methods for reducing emissions during battery manufacturing. It’s worth noting that over the lifecycle of the vehicle, electric cars can still offer significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, especially when charged with electricity from renewable sources.

To illustrate the issue, researchers conducted an estimation of the driving duration for traditional combustion engine cars required to emit an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide as is generated during the production of electric vehicle batteries. The findings revealed that it would take just over 2.5 years of driving a combustion engine car to produce emissions equal to the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing batteries for a Nissan Leaf, which typically boasts a 40-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery capacity.

“If we assume that the car will always be charged using electricity generated exclusively from renewable energy sources, equalizing the differences in the production of a combustion and electric vehicle would require an electric vehicle to travel 50-60 thousand kilometers. km. However, this would be the case in an ideal world. In fact, looking at the energy mix in Poland, such a car needs to be driven over 75-90 thousand kilometers. km to equalize CO 2 emissions compared to combustion vehicles. However, with every kilometer traveled, it becomes an increasingly ecological choice, and the user of such a car can definitely feel that they are doing something good for the environment. This is a strong argument for investing in renewable energy sources and a comprehensive approach to electromobility.”

Radosław Kitala, Consultant & Arval Mobility Observatory Manager

2. Raw materials for electric car batteries and the environment 

Now, let’s examine batteries from a raw materials standpoint, considering the materials used in production, their sources, extraction methods, and availability.

A crucial raw material for batteries is lithium. Lithium deposits are found in numerous locations globally, with an estimated total of 230 billion tons. This substantial reserve is significant, especially in light of the anticipated demand for lithium. Consequently, the stability of lithium prices is less likely to be jeopardized, unlike the price volatility often associated with commodities such as oil.

The situation differs when it comes to cobalt. Like several other elements used in battery production, cobalt extraction often carries environmental costs. Recognizing the limitations of these resources, efforts are currently underway to reduce the reliance on rare or costly raw materials during battery manufacturing. One primary objective is to discover alternatives to cobalt to entirely eliminate its necessity. A closer look at battery composition reveals a substantial decrease in cobalt concentration, declining by approximately 7% per year over the past two decades. Decisions like these contribute to making batteries more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable.

3. Is recycling electric car batteries ecological?

Battery lifespan is typically estimated at around 10 years, although precise figures can be challenging to predict due to the evolving nature of the industry. As an illustration, Tesla’s testing indicates that battery capacity only diminishes by approximately 10% after covering nearly 160,000 miles.

Now, let’s consider the fate of batteries once they are no longer suitable for use in electric cars.

3.1. Ways to recycle batteries

Two years ago, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University conducted a study on the recycling of electric vehicle batteries, the findings of which were published in the journal “Nature Sustainability” under the title “Examining Different Recycling Processes for Lithium-Ion Batteries.” The study encompassed three battery types (LFP, NMC, NCA) and explored three recycling approaches:

A. Pyrometallurgical: This method employs high temperatures to recover valuable metals in the form of an alloy.

B. Hydrometallurgical: It involves leaching and capturing valuable metals from a solution.

C. Recycling: This approach focuses on preserving and renewing part of the battery’s cathode.

The research results for NMC (lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt) and NCA (lithium-nickel-cobalt-aluminum) batteries commonly used in passenger electric cars were promising. Choosing methods B and C had an adverse environmental impact, albeit less severe than the production of new batteries. Notably, the difference was more pronounced with method C. However, method A was not recommended for any of the tested battery types due to its high environmental costs. These findings raise questions about the prevalence of method A in Europe.

Experts suggest that in certain scenarios, manufacturing new batteries may have a lower environmental impact than recycling old ones. This is particularly relevant for LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries employed in electric buses. Even if these batteries no longer meet the performance requirements for electric vehicles, they can still find useful applications in other contexts, reducing waste and enhancing sustainability.

3.2. Use of “used” batteries

Prior to recycling, batteries can find new applications in various industries, and organizations are increasingly recognizing the material benefits of repurposing these “used” products. This practice provides batteries with a second, and sometimes even a third, life outside of the automotive sector. For instance, these batteries can serve as energy storage solutions in buildings, a practice employed by companies like Tesla. Artur Koziński from ZPUE has discussed the concept of giving batteries a second life in his recent presentation titled “How Many Lives Does a Battery Have?”

4. Electric cars and the country’s energy mix

The final aspect to consider when discussing the ecological impact of electric cars is the composition of a country’s energy mix. The environmental influence of using electric vehicles isn’t solely contingent on the technical characteristics of the cars and their batteries; the source of energy for powering these vehicles is equally significant.

It’s well understood that as the proportion of renewable energy sources in a country’s energy mix increases, greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere decrease. The state of a nation’s domestic energy sector directly influences the electromobility industry. Therefore, in regions with access to clean energy sources, utilizing electric cars is more environmentally advantageous than in areas where renewable energy is underutilized or scarcely employed.

The ecological future of electric cars

The electromobility industry is experiencing rapid and robust development. While some environmental drawbacks of electric cars are evident today, ongoing advancements in battery production technologies and recycling methods are underway. Coupled with the widespread commitment of most nations to boost the proportion of renewable energy sources in their energy mix, there are reasons for optimism regarding the future evolution of electromobility.