Grid decarbonization significantly reduces emissions associated with electric vehicle (EV) batteries by lowering the carbon intensity of electricity used in manufacturing and charging.
Manufacturing emissions reduction
Battery production accounts for 40–60% of EVs’ total production emissions. Decarbonizing power grids decreases the emissions intensity of electricity used in manufacturing processes like electrode coating and drying. By 2035, grid decarbonization in the International Energy Agency’s Announced Pledges Scenario (APS) could reduce battery production emissions by approximately 10% through cleaner electricity.
Lifecycle emissions improvements
- Well-to-tank emissions: For vehicles sold in 2035, grid decarbonization could cut well-to-tank emissions by 55–75% compared to 2023 levels, primarily due to a 50–65% drop in electricity generation emissions intensity.
- Battery recycling synergy: Combining grid decarbonization with cathode material recycling (20% recycled content) could reduce lifecycle emissions by 35% by 2035 for common battery chemistries like NMC and LFP.
Charging phase impact
Cleaner grids ensure lower operational emissions for EVs over their lifetimes. While even non-decarbonized grids still make EVs 30% cleaner than internal combustion engines (ICEVs), accelerated grid decarbonization maximizes this advantage. For perspective, daytime EV charging (when renewable output peaks) can further minimize reliance on fossil-fueled generation.
Strategic importance
Grid decarbonization complements other initiatives like electrifying industrial processes and adopting vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which together could meet the EU’s projected battery storage needs by 2040 while reducing new material mining.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-role-does-grid-decarbonization-play-in-reducing-emissions-from-ev-batteries/
