Investigating greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts from the production of lithium-ion batteries in China

Lai, Xin; Gu, Huanghui; Chen, Quanwei; Tang, Xiaopeng; Zhou, Yuanqiang; Gao, Furong; Han, Xiao; Guo, Yue; Bhagat, Rohit; Zheng, Yuejiu

doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133756

Cited by 45 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…The majority of lithium-ion batteries are produced in China, which relies on coal-heavy electricity production [85]. While studies have assessed the GHG emissions associated with battery production [86], there is a need for additional work to understand the air pollution and health burden.…”

Section: Global Supply Chain Justicementioning

confidence: 99%

Emerging environmental justice issues at the intersection of transportation and electricity systems

Hennessy,

Azevedo

2024

Prog. Energy

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Rapid decarbonization of the transportation system is needed to address global climate change, and electrification of the transportation sector will likely be an important strategy to achieve decarbonization goals. While electrification is an effective approach to reducing carbon emissions, it may result in environmental justice consequences that need to be tackled. We discuss four categories of related issues: air quality and health-related equity; technology access; equitable infrastructure development; and a just global supply chain. In regions where grid decarbonization is well under way, transport-related disparities in air quality and health are expected to decrease with electrification. In contrast, in regions that still rely heavily on coal generation, disparities may increase, putting further strain on low-income communities and people of color. The high upfront cost of electric vehicles and limited access to charging present additional challenges for achieving equity in transportation electrification. Meeting the electricity demand of a fully electric vehicle fleet will require rapid expansion of power generation, transmission, and distribution capacity, and the location and design of this infrastructure will have further impacts on communities where it is sited. Here, we offer a perspective on these emerging environmental justice issues at the intersection of transportation and electricity systems and provide policy recommendations and future research directions for electrified transportation. We suggest there is a need for policies targeting electrification and power sector decarbonization in tandem, assessment of barriers to electric vehicle adoption in different groups, development of strategies for community inclusion in infrastructure development decisions, and creation of frameworks to assess equity tradeoffs along the global supply chain supporting electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.

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Section: Global Supply Chain Justicementioning

confidence: 99%

Emerging environmental justice issues at the intersection of transportation and electricity systems

Hennessy,

Azevedo

2024

Prog. Energy

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“…When comparing the manufacturing processes of SSBs to those of conventional lithium-ion batteries (see Table 1), it becomes evident that each has its unique environmental footprint. Lithiumion battery production is well-established, with optimization efforts focused on reducing energy use and emissions [36]. However, it still relies heavily on the use of volatile organic compounds and presents risks related to the handling and disposal of toxic materials [36].…”

Section: Manufacturing Process Of Ssbsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lithiumion battery production is well-established, with optimization efforts focused on reducing energy use and emissions [36]. However, it still relies heavily on the use of volatile organic compounds and presents risks related to the handling and disposal of toxic materials [36]. In contrast, SSB manufacturing, while eliminating the need for these hazardous liquid electrolytes, requires hightemperature processes for the synthesis of solid electrolytes and the integration of components, leading to significant energy demands [37].…”

Section: Manufacturing Process Of Ssbsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Aspects and Recycling of Solid-State Batteries: A Comprehensive Review

Machín,

Cotto,

Díaz

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Solid-state batteries (SSBs) have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries, with notable advantages in safety, energy density, and longevity, yet the environmental implications of their lifecycle, from manufacturing to disposal, remain a critical concern. This review paper examines the environmental impacts associated with the production, use, and end-of-life management of SSBs, starting with the extraction and processing of raw materials which highlights significant natural resource consumption, energy use, and emissions. A comparative analysis with traditional battery manufacturing underscores the environmental hazards of novel materials specific to SSBs. The review also assesses the operational environmental impact of SSBs by evaluating their energy efficiency and carbon footprint in comparison to conventional batteries, followed by an exploration of end-of-life challenges including disposal risks, regulatory frameworks, and the shortcomings of existing waste management practices. A significant focus is placed on recycling and reuse strategies, reviewing current methodologies like mechanical, pyrometallurgical, and hydrometallurgical processes, along with emerging technologies that aim to overcome recycling barriers, while also analyzing the economic and technological challenges of these processes. Additionally, real-world case studies are presented, serving as benchmarks for best practices and highlighting lessons learned in the field. In conclusion, the paper identifies research gaps and future directions for reducing the environmental footprint of SSBs, underscoring the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to advance sustainable SSB technologies and contribute to balancing technological advancements with environmental stewardship, thereby supporting the transition to a more sustainable energy future.

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“…Although EV can achieve zero emission during propulsion, the process of manufacture and mining for Li-ion battery generates significant amounts of greenhouse gases emissions. According to [87], the emissions during the productions of Li-ion battery range from 114.3 to 137.0 kg CO 2 -eq/kWh. Meanwhile, the mining of Lithium requires large amount of saline water, where one ton of Lithium requires 2.2 million gallons of water.…”

Section: G Environmental Factormentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Acceptance and Preference of EV Users—A Review

Ramachandaramurthy

Ajmal

Kasinathan³

et al. 2023

IEEE Access

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Electric vehicles (EVs) are drawing increasing attention, given the volatile fuel prices and impending reduction in fuel supplies. EVs are also preferred in the automotive industry as they reduce the environmental impact and fuel consumption while achieving a higher efficiency when compared to internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). Although most of energy and environmental policies worldwide have set targets with the goal to shift from classic fossil fuel driven vehicles to electrified transport, the share of EVs is still rather low. The complexity of changing the human perception of transportation goes beyond technical and economic aspects and very few research activities managed to capture the additional factors. This paper presents a comprehensive review of studies on consumer preferences for EV, aiming to better inform policy-makers and give direction to further research. In addition, this paper discusses the main obstacles that limit the social acceptance in adopting EVs such as driving obstacles, charging obstacles and willingness-to-pay from consumers. Furthermore, mitigation strategies are outlined as the recommendation to promote a better EV deployment.

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Investigating greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts from the production of lithium-ion batteries in China

Cited by 45 publications

References 55 publications

Emerging environmental justice issues at the intersection of transportation and electricity systems

Emerging environmental justice issues at the intersection of transportation and electricity systems

Environmental Aspects and Recycling of Solid-State Batteries: A Comprehensive Review

Social Acceptance and Preference of EV Users—A Review

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