Water usage in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing varies significantly between different countries and regions, primarily due to the sourcing and extraction of critical minerals like lithium and copper used in EV batteries. The variation arises from differences in mining practices, water availability, and environmental regulations.
Key Factors Affecting Water Usage in EV Manufacturing by Country
1. Mineral Extraction Practices and Water Intensity
The water consumption for producing the minerals essential for EV batteries, such as lithium and copper, differs depending on the specific mines and their geographic locations. For example, the water required for copper extraction varies substantially across mines:
- The median water consumption for copper per EV is about 10 cubic meters, but the best-performing 25% of copper mines use just over 6 m³ of water per vehicle, whereas the worst 25% can exceed 12.5 m³ per vehicle.
- Lithium extraction, especially in water-stressed regions like parts of Chile, consumes huge quantities of water, sometimes leading to water scarcity and the need for expensive water solutions like desalination and long-distance water transport.
2. Regional Water Scarcity and Impact
Some countries or regions where lithium mining occurs experience significant water stress, influencing water use in EV manufacturing:
- In Chile, lithium mining has led to local water depletion, with some mining operations halting and communities resorting to desalinated water.
- In contrast, other countries with more water-abundant mining sites might have lower water impact per unit of mineral extracted.
3. Differences in Total Water Footprint for EV Manufacture
While EV production involves higher water usage for battery minerals extraction, some studies suggest that overall, EVs might still use less water than fossil-fuel vehicle production if considering the entire lifecycle, including fuel extraction and processing:
- A worst-case study indicated battery EVs might consume up to 70 times more water than internal combustion engine vehicles, mostly due to battery minerals.
- However, overall EV water use to manufacture and operate is roughly double that of conventional cars, primarily because of battery production.
- Some reports also indicate that water use per EV manufactured is on the order of a few cubic meters, with Tesla reporting a reduction from 3.37 m³ per vehicle in previous years to 2.48 m³ in 2023, though this likely varies by country and supplier.
Summary
Water usage in EV manufacturing processes varies widely between countries mainly because:
- Different mining locations for lithium and copper have varied water efficiency and environmental constraints.
- Water scarcity issues affect how mining operations source and manage water, influencing total water footprint.
- Countries with dry climates and saline water may rely on costly desalination and water transport, raising water input.
- Water use efficiency improvements and tighter regulations in some countries help reduce water consumption per vehicle.
Thus, while EV manufacturing generally requires more water than traditional vehicles due to battery mineral extraction, the extent of water usage depends heavily on regional mining practices and water availability.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-the-water-usage-in-ev-manufacturing-processes-vary-between-different-countries/
