Sustainable Electric Vehicle Batteries for a Sustainable World: Perspectives on Battery Cathodes, Environment, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Life Cycle, and Policy

Abstract

Li‐ion batteries (LIBs) can reduce carbon emissions by powering electric vehicles (EVs) and promoting renewable energy development with grid‐scale energy storage. However, LIB production and electricity generation still heavily rely on fossil fuels at present, resulting in major environmental concerns. Are LIBs as environmentally friendly and sustainable as expected at the current stage? In the past 5 years, a skyrocketing growth of the EV market has been witnessed. LIBs have garnered huge attention from academia, industry, government, non‐governmental organizations, investors, and the general public. Tremendous volumes of LIBs are already implemented in EVs today, with a continuing, exponential growth expected for the years to come. When LIBs reach their end‐of‐life in the next decades, what technologies can be in place to enable second‐life or recycling of batteries? Herein, life cycle assessment studies are examined to evaluate the environmental impact of LIBs, and EVs are compared with internal combustion engine vehicles regarding environmental sustainability. To provide a holistic view of the LIB development, this Perspective provides insights into materials development, manufacturing, recycling, legislation and policy, and beyond. Last but not least, the future development of LIBs and charging infrastructures in light of emerging technologies are envisioned.

A Future Perspective on Waste Management of Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles in Lao PDR: Current Status and Challenges

“…In reference to policy and regulations that are specifically related to LIB management, there are the main ones, such as the Guideline for Construction and Operation of New Energy Vehicle Power Battery Recycling Service Outlets and the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Environment Pollution Caused by Solid Wastes (2020 Revision) [ 138 , 139 ], Notice on Printing and Distributing the Interim Measures for the Administration of Recycling and Utilization of New Energy Vehicle Power Batteries in order to implement the Environmental Protection Law and other laws and regulations [ 140 ]. Most of the EV batteries recycling methodology in China is also the same as other countries’ models, focusing on three recycling routes such as direct recycling, hydrometallurgical, and pyrometallurgical process [ 141 ]. However, the selection of recycling routes or technologies is dependant on batteries’ chemical compositions, cost-benefit, and other factors.…”

A 3D structure C/Si/ZnCo2O4/CC anode for flexible lithium-ion batteries with high capacity and fast charging ability

“…43 Furthermore, the vibration peak of F 2g (2) at 515 cm −1 also reflected the stretching vibration of the Co-O bond. Another three peaks located at 187 cm −1 , 610 cm −1 , and 678 cm −1 correspond to the F 2g (1) , F 2g (3) , and A 1g modes of the Co-O bond, respectively. In addition, the two peaks located at 1350 cm −1 and 1600 cm −1 are the D bond and G bond of CC, respectively.…”

“…5c. The structural stability of all the three electrodes is characterized by the intensity ratio of the F 2g (1) peaks at the beginning of the 1 st and the 50 th cycles. As expected, the CSZCO/CC electrode exhibited the highest ratio (I 50 : I 1 = 0.86), indicating that the CSZCO/CC electrode has the best structural stability which is inseparable from the effect of the C layer on the surface.…”

“…With the advent of electric vehicles, the low power and energy density of traditional commercial lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) cannot meet the increasing demand for high-performance LIBs. [1][2][3] The development of new electrode materials, especially anode materials, is one of the solutions to improve the power and energy density of LIBs. 4,5 Since Poizot et al 6 reported for the first time that CoO x , FeO x , CuO x , and other transition metal oxides could be used as anode materials for LIBs in 2000, transition metal oxides have been widely studied by researchers for their high theoretical specific capacity and environmental benignity.…”

Editorial: Export product quality, renewable energy, and sustainable production

“…In addition, the European Union has mandated that corporations disclose their sustainable investments under the sustainable financial disclosure regulation which is still at the infancy stage (SFDR). Significantly increased use of electric vehicles and solar panels has resulted in the enactment of new regulations controlling the new sustainable investment possibilities (Yang et al, 2022).…”