22 - Recycling of Traction Batteries as a Challenge and Chance for Future Lithium Availability

Abstract

Lithium-based secondary batteries can be considered the presently most promising electrochemical energy storage systems for mobility applications. There is a strong interest in lithium traction batteries and their prospective mass application in hybrid and fully electric vehicles. The question arising is whether enough lithium is available for the production of such batteries and how much recycling of the batteries will contribute to a higher availability of lithium in the future. Extensive literature search produced different statements regarding presently known reserves and resources, the criticality of lithium, and the degree of recyclability of lithium from traction batteries. An investigated scenario regarding lithium availability and demand suggests that no real lithium scarcity is foreseen in the near future even from the resources policy perspective. After the year 2050, the situation might change when the easily extractable reserves in stable countries will decrease significantly.