Major electric vehicle battery manufacturers require purer energy grids for decarbonization, according to a recent study.
In a groundbreaking report by Greenpeace, it has been revealed that China and Poland are the countries with the highest carbon footprint for electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing. The countries' electricity grids, with carbon intensities exceeding 500 grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), contribute significantly to high manufacturing emissions.
China, the world's largest producer of EV batteries, accounts for over 70% of all batteries sold globally and has a very carbon-intensive electricity grid (~580 g CO₂/kWh). By contrast, China's export markets on average have lower grid carbon intensities (~395 g CO₂/kWh), indicating that batteries used outside China might lead to relatively lower emissions.
Poland, another major player in the EV battery manufacturing industry, follows closely behind China with a carbon intensity of electricity that is just as high. The report found that Malaysia also ranks high in carbon intensity, but below Poland and China.
Europe, on the other hand, offers a considerably cleaner electricity mix for battery manufacturing, contributing to much lower lifecycle emissions in EVs manufactured or used there. In fact, EV battery production emissions in Europe are quickly offset by the clean grid during vehicle use.
The manufacturing stage of battery production is responsible for about one-third of cradle-to-gate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. To lower their carbon footprint, Greenpeace recommends that battery manufacturers site their gigafactories in regions with cleaner grids or invest in dedicated renewable energy sources for on-site power.
Notably, only a few battery manufacturers have committed to using 100% renewable electricity for their operations and have established carbon reduction targets for their supply chains. These include CATL, LGES, Panasonic Energy, Samsung SDI, SK On, and Sunwoda. All top 10 EV battery makers analyzed in the report operate in China, with only LGES and Panasonic Energy owning manufacturing capacity in Poland.
Greenpeace East Asia campaigner Erin Choi urged all battery makers to set decarbonization targets for electricity use and raw material sourcing. The report also emphasizes the need for policymakers and industry to prioritize siting gigafactories in regions with cleaner grids or invest in dedicated renewable energy sources for on-site power.
As the world continues to transition towards renewable energy and electric vehicles, it is crucial for battery manufacturers to prioritize cleaner energy sources to lower their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.
- China, with a carbon-intensive electricity grid and being the world's largest producer of EV batteries, contributes significantly to high manufacturing emissions.
- Europe, due to its cleaner electricity mix, offers much lower lifecycle emissions in EVs manufactured or used there, with EV battery production emissions in Europe quickly offset by the clean grid during vehicle use.
- The manufacturing stage of battery production is responsible for about one-third of cradle-to-gate carbon dioxide emissions, suggesting that it's essential for battery manufacturers to invest in cleaner energy sources.
- Greenpeace recommends that battery manufacturers site their gigafactories in regions with cleaner grids or invest in dedicated renewable energy sources for on-site power to lower their carbon footprint.
- The report found that only a few battery manufacturers have committed to using 100% renewable electricity for their operations and have established carbon reduction targets for their supply chains.
- To contribute to a more sustainable future, it's crucial for battery manufacturers to prioritize cleaner energy sources as the world continues to transition towards renewable energy and electric vehicles.
- Erin Choi, a Greenpeace East Asia campaigner, urged all battery makers to set decarbonization targets for electricity use and raw material sourcing.
- The need for policymakers and industry to prioritize siting gigafactories in regions with cleaner grids or invest in dedicated renewable energy sources for on-site power is emphasized in the report, along with the importance of setting decarbonization targets.
