Abstract
We compiled 50 publications from the years 2005–2020 about life cycle assessment (LCA) of Li-ion batteries to assess the environmental effects of production, use, and end of life for application in electric vehicles. Investigated LCAs showed for the production of a battery pack per kWh battery capacity a median of 280 kWh/kWh_bc (25%-quantile–75%-quantile: 200–500 kWh/kWh_bc) for the primary energy consumption and a median of 120 kg CO2-eq/kWh_bc (25%-quantile–75%-quantile: 70–175 kg CO2-eq/kWh_bc) for greenhouse gas emissions. We expect results for current batteries to be in the lower range. Over the lifetime of an electric vehicle, these emissions relate to 20 g CO2-eq/km (25%-quantile–75%-quantile: 10–50 g CO2-eq/km). Considering recycling processes, greenhouse gas savings outweigh the negative environmental impacts of recycling and can reduce the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions by a median value of 20 kg CO2-eq/kWh_bc (25%-quantile–75%-quantile: 5–29 kg CO2-eq/kWh_bc). Overall, many LCA results overestimated the environmental impact of cell manufacturing, due to the assessments of relatively small or underutilized production facilities. Material emissions, like from mining and especially processing from metals and the cathode paste, could have been underestimated, due to process-based assumptions and non-regionalized primary data. Second-life applications were often not considered.
Highlights
A transformation from vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICV) to a transport system with electric vehicles (EV) is commonly regarded as a major step for sustainable future development.EVs, in comparison to ICVs, do not emit exhaust gases directly
Many of the assessed studies rely on older literature data sources for aspects like the primary energy demand for battery production
Data for the end-of-life treatment of EV batteries are limited, and the life cycle process is often neglected in life cycle assessments (LCA)
Summary
A transformation from vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICV) to a transport system with electric vehicles (EV) is commonly regarded as a major step for sustainable future development.EVs, in comparison to ICVs, do not emit exhaust gases directly. Besides the necessary inputs of additional renewable electricity, the production and recycling of the necessary battery are often seen as a barrier, due to various potential negative environmental impacts. LCAs investigate the environmental impacts of the whole life cycle from production, use, and the end of life by adding the use of energy and material resources to the investigated system [1,2]. After use in the EV, the batteries should be either reused in other applications or recycled, reducing the need for primary material. Between all those processes, transport is necessary to ship materials and products from one location to the next.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call