A new Swedish study has shown that the production of batteries for electric cars is less harmful to the environment than originally thought. The Swedish energy company IVL has revised its earlier report from 2017.
The number of electric cars is expected to increase more and more in the coming years. To ensure that the environmental impact is minimised, the production of car batteries must be as energy-efficient as possible, the IVL argues. Since 2017, however, the society has been able to conclude that production methods are indeed improving and CO2 emissions are lower than expected. Two years ago, the institute was still predicting emissions of 150 to 200 kilograms per kilowatt-hour. It has lowered that to 61 to 109 kilograms of CO2 emissions.
More sustainable fuels
The fact that emissions are lower than previously thought is mainly due to the fact that battery factories have scaled up and therefore produce more efficiently. In addition, manufacturers have started using more sustainable fuels. Less coal is being used than thought in 2017, which has adjusted the car battery footprint downwards. In addition, more and more factories are using renewable non-fossil electricity at various stages of production. This could reduce emissions below 60 kilograms. Although there is not yet a factory that is fully renewable, the researchers expect there will be one.
