Solid-state batteries offer several environmental benefits over traditional lithium-ion batteries, primarily due to their design and materials:
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: Research by Transport & Environment (T&E) and Minviro shows that solid-state batteries can reduce the carbon footprint of electric vehicle (EV) batteries by approximately 39% compared to current lithium-ion technology. This reduction is a result of higher energy density, allowing more energy storage with fewer raw materials, and improved production efficiencies.
- Lower Material Use: Because solid-state batteries store more energy per unit weight or volume, they require fewer raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. This decrease in material demand consequently lowers mining-related environmental impacts such as habitat destruction, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Enhanced Safety and Stability: Solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte instead of a flammable liquid electrolyte found in lithium-ion batteries. This non-combustible feature significantly reduces the risk of thermal runaway, fires, and explosions. Safer batteries allow for more compact and efficient designs, resulting in lighter batteries which can further reduce energy consumption in EVs.
- Potential for Sustainable Raw Material Sourcing: The environmental advantages of solid-state batteries can be enhanced if their raw materials are sustainably sourced, helping to lower the lifecycle climate impact even further.
- Longer-Term Climate Benefits: The improved safety, energy density, and material efficiency of solid-state batteries position them as a key technology that will further boost the climate advantages of electric vehicles over fossil fuel cars in the future.
In summary, solid-state batteries contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable EV industry by cutting greenhouse gas emissions related to battery production, reducing reliance on scarce and environmentally damaging materials, and enhancing the safety and efficiency of battery systems.
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