Passenger cars and trucks are one of the largest sources of global warming emissions in the US. Electric vehicles (EVs) have the potential to dramatically reduce these emissions, especially when charged by low-carbon renewable electricity. New UCS analysis finds that over its lifetime—from manufacturing to operation to disposal—the average new battery electric vehicle produces more than 50 percent less global warming pollution than a comparable gasoline or diesel vehicle. Based on the most recently available data on power plant emissions and EV sales, driving the average EV in the US produces global warming emissions equal to a gasoline vehicle that gets 91 miles per gallon. To speed climate benefits and to encourage more drivers to choose electric vehicles, the report recommends policy changes and investments to bring even more renewable energy onto the grid, develop robust battery recycling programs to help reduce manufacturing impacts, and make EVs more accessible and affordable.
Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) are a key technology in decarbonizing the transportation and electricity sectors, yet the use of critical materials, such as cobalt, nickel, and lithium, lead to environmental and social impacts. Reusing, repurposing, and recycling mitigate battery impacts by extending their lifespan and reducing reliance on virgin materials. Innovation that reduces demand for these problematic materials and increases battery efficiency also reduces impacts. Two examples of this technological innovation include, (1) the development of energy dense cathode chemistry containing less cobalt, a material with high social and environmental impacts; and (2) the use of columnar silicon thin film anode, which results in increased energy density compared to the commonly used graphite anode. This research assesses whether these technological innovations change the currently understood waste hierarchy, which prioritizes reuse or repurposing prior to recycling. This is of interest because retired high‐cobalt batteries could supply their constituent materials sooner if recycled immediately and be used in low‐cobalt, higher‐performing batteries. The assessment considers the life cycle environmental impacts of two end‐of‐life management routes for a high‐cobalt LIB: first, recycling the battery immediately after the first use life to produce a new, and less material intensive battery, and second, repurposing the battery for a stationary storage application followed by recycling. Findings show that battery reuse reduces life cycle environmental impacts relative to immediate recycling. Thus, from an environmental perspective, the waste hierarchy holds, and steps to retain the batteries in their highest value use, such as through repurposing, should still be prioritized.
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