However, new research by Minviro, a company specialized in raw material life-cycle analysis, has found that an emerging battery technology can significantly reduce an EV’s carbon footprint: solid-state batteries. They promise to decrease battery emissions by almost two-fifths. The analysis compared a NMC-811 solid-state battery — one of the most promising chemistries being developed — to current lithium-ion technology. Both types use lithium to produce electrical energy and they have an anode (the battery’s negative terminal), a cathode (the battery’s positive terminal), and an electrolyte, which helps transfer ions from the cathode to the anode and vice versa. They differ primarily in the state of the electrolyte: lithium-ion batteries use liquid electrolytes and solid-state batteries use solid (commonly ceramic) electrolytes. The solid electrolyte results in different chemical reactions and processes, which give solid-state batteries a range of impressive advantages compared to their in-house counterparts: lower cost, improved safety, faster charging times, longer range, and higher energy density. According to the research, the higher energy density of solid-state batteries can, in fact, reduce their carbon footprint by 24%. That’s because these batteries can store more energy with less materials. It also estimates an emissions reductions of up to 39% if solid-state batteries are made using more sustainably sourced materials.
This aligns with the EU’s proposed Battery Regulation which would regulate the recycling and responsible sourcing of lithium in terms of its socio-environmental impact. Fortunately, car companies and battery manufacturers are already betting on solid-state tech and, if they meet their goals, we can expect to see EVs with this type of power source in the second half of the decade.
