To reduce emissions from EV battery production, manufacturers and stakeholders can implement several key strategies:
1. Electrify Industrial Processes
Transitioning from fossil fuels to electric-powered equipment for critical processes like coating, drying, and clean-room operations can reduce direct emissions. Electrification improves energy efficiency by over 10%, addressing up to 60% of total EV production emissions.
2. Increase Use of Recycled Materials
Recycling battery materials reduces emissions by ~80% compared to virgin mining. Recycled cathode materials have a four-times-smaller carbon footprint than primary sources, while circular practices mitigate future raw-material shortages.
3. Procure Renewable Energy
Sourcing low-carbon electricity (e.g., wind, solar) for manufacturing can cut emissions from electricity use, which accounts for 20-25% of total battery lifecycle emissions. Increased electrification across the supply chain is critical for deeper decarbonization.
4. Improve Energy Density
Designing higher-energy-density batteries reduces material intensity per kWh, lowering emissions from resource extraction and processing. A 30% increase in energy density by 2035 could contribute significantly to emission reductions.
5. Optimize Supply Chain Logistics
Localizing production and adopting low-emission transport (e.g., rail) can address the 5% of emissions tied to logistics. Decarbonizing transportation modes and shortening supply chains further reduces indirect emissions.
6. Advance Battery Chemistry and Efficiency
Focusing on process electrification and energy efficiency in critical mineral processing (e.g., nickel, lithium) reduces upstream emissions. For LFP batteries, prioritizing manufacturing efficiency and lithium ore processing decarbonization is key.
Combining these strategies with policy support for recycling infrastructure and industry-wide collaboration will be essential for achieving net-zero EV battery production.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-can-the-emissions-from-ev-battery-production-be-reduced/
