Addressing Concerns About Electric Vehicle Batteries

Multiple reports confirm that Electric Vehicles (EVs) are already cleaner than gas-powered vehicles over the lifecycle of the vehicle. Even in states where the electricity mix includes coal, EVs prove superior. And EVs continue to get cleaner as they become more efficient and electric grids incorporate more clean, renewable energy from sources like sun and wind. Despite these advancements, people still express concern about the sustainability of lithium ion EV batteries.

These concerns extend well beyond EV batteries. Lithium-ion batteries power billions of devices worldwide—from cellphones and laptops to countless other battery-dependent technologies

Fortunately, advances in battery technology may soon alleviate these concerns. Rapid innovation suggests that EV battery components could look very different in the near future. Companies are investing enormous resources in the development of new battery technologies, including solid state batteries, sodium ion, iron air and silicon anode and other materials. It is likely that one or more of these technologies will arrive on the market in the next decade. Toyota’s new solid state batteries could hit the market by 2027. 

If EV batteries continue to be made of lithium ion, the primary concerns are: 1) labor practices for mining cobalt; 2) environmental impacts of extracting lithium; 3) sufficient supply of materials for EV batteries; 4) carbon emissions from battery manufacture; and 5) toxic waste from disposal of used batteries.

In this article, we explore each of these challenges and how innovation is paving the way for a cleaner future.

 

1) Concern: Labor Practices for Mining Cobalt


Some writers have sought to cast doubt on the ability of electric vehicles (EVs) to replace gasoline-powered vehicles based on concerns about the supply of the mineral cobalt contained within their batteries. It is true that lithium ion batteries in cell phones, laptops and now even EVs require extracting natural resources — just as most items that humans consume.

One such resource is cobalt. About 70% of cobalt currently comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it is mined using child labor and other unethical practices. Indeed, the Democratic Republic of Congo was rated the 3d worst country for child labor practices in 2019, although it did not make the top 10 worst child labor countries at all in 2023.

Fortunately, the US Department of Energy is championing R&D of cobalt-free batteries, and many automakers are already developing such batteries and have committed to ethical sourcing of cobalt and other minerals. Many battery suppliers are also working to address this issue.

Ultimately, mining concerns are not unique to EV batteries. We need to keep insisting on ethical, sustainable supply chains — not just for cobalt, but for all materials and products we use.

 
 

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2) Concern: Environmental Impacts of Extracting Lithium


The amount of lithium mining is miniscule compared to other minerals. Lithium made up only 130,000 tons of the 2.8 billion tons of the metals mined in 2022 - or 0.0046%

The leading producers, Australia and Chile, employ distinct extraction methods. In Chile, lithium is primarily harvested from brine pools in desert salt flats. A concentrated lithium solution is pumped from underground into large ponds, where water evaporates, leaving behind lithium compounds for further purification. The main environmental concern with this extraction process is that it can impact water supply in the desert. However, new extraction technologies are in development, including ones that use much less water and land, and take much less time. In Australia, lithium is mined from rocks, which, like the mining of coal and other fossil fuels, raises environmental issues.

As with all resource extraction, sustainability practices must be prioritized to minimize ecological harm.

 

3) Concern: Sufficient Supplies of EV Battery Materials


Over 50 countries and 12 U.S. states have announced plans to phase out gasoline vehicles and move to electric cars by as early as 2025, and the number is growing. Some worry there won’t be sufficient supplies of cobalt or lithium to serve the increased demand for EV batteries. This concern is not well-founded, for these reasons:

 
 

Cobalt and EV Batteries:

Many automakers are looking to use EV batteries that do not rely on cobalt, and half of Tesla’s vehicles are already cobalt-free.

For EVs that still use cobalt, usage is likely to drop by approximately 70%. Presently, many EV batteries contain an equal mix of nickel, manganese, and cobalt. The next generation of batteries will contain eight parts nickel (an abundant material) for each part of manganese and cobalt.

To the extent batteries continue to use cobalt, cobalt mining is expanding in the U.S. and other countries, with new mines in development.  

Cobalt was historically not a mineral in great demand, and was produced mainly as a byproduct of other mining. It is likely that entirely new sources of cobalt will be developed as mining companies zero in on cobalt sources

 

Lithium and EV Batteries:

Lithium is the 26th most abundant element. Some forecasters predict a surplus of lithium until 2027, but demand is expected to rise 20% a year through 2030, and concerns have been expressed that supply won’t keep up

As demand for lithium grows, efforts are under way to develop additional sources in the U.S., and many groups racing to increase production. It is estimated that the lithium in Southern California’s Salton Sea could meet the entire US demand for EV batteries and ⅓ of world demand. New extraction techniques are unlocking new sources of lithium and enabling it to be processed faster with fewer resources. Given the abundance of lithium and developments around its discovery and extraction, it seems unlikely that a shortage of lithium will make a shift to EVs impossible.

 

4) Concern: Carbon Emissions From Manufacture of EV Batteries:


Over the lifetime of the vehicle, battery electric cars generate fewer emissions of the average comparable gasoline car (4 times fewer emissions in some cases) even when battery manufacturing is included in the calculation.

EV battery manufacture, like many manufacturing processes, is getting cleaner as manufacturers race to cut the associated emissions.

Audi’s e-Tron batteries are made at a carbon-neutral facility, and Audi has committed that all its manufacturing plants will be carbon neutral by 2025. The EV battery maker CATL has made a similar commitment. Also, as the electric vehicle industry grows, battery recycling rates will increase, further reducing the emissions from battery manufacture.

 
 
 

5) Concern: Toxic Waste From Disposal of Used EV Batteries: 


Current EV batteries may last longer than anyone predicted. A Tesla has traveled more than 400,000 miles on its original battery, and it’s reported that only 1.5% of EVs on the road today have had a non-recall battery replacement. When EV batteries degrade enough to be unsuitable for cars (about 70% capacity remaining), they can be re-used for electricity storage.

But what will happen to them when they’re no longer suitable for any use? With current technology, 95% of the materials in the battery can be recycled. Tesla, Ford, Volvo and Toyota are committed to EV battery recycling. Gigafactories for EV batteries such as the Northvolt factory in Sweden are aiming to obtain half their materials from recycled batteries by 2030. China recycled 414,000 tons of lithium ion batteries in 2022 – a 75% increase from 2021. The US Department of Energy has made billions of dollars of loans to battery recycling companies, and in July 2023 allocated an additional $192 million for battery recycling research. 

What’s needed now is global policies requiring battery recycling. The European Union has adopted regulations requiring EV battery recycling, and China is working to tighten its EV battery recycling laws. Commitments to make a complete transition to electric vehicles will help provide the market certainty needed for mass investment in battery recycling facilities.

 

 

Addressing EV Battery Concerns Conclusion

 
 

Batteries are a challenge for electrification of the vehicle fleet, but not an overwhelming one. The problems have been identified, and solutions are in the works. New sources of production, battery recycling, improved focus on human rights issues in Africa, and changing battery technologies will allow EVs to continue supplanting gasoline vehicles. Amnesty International has called for action by government, industry, innovators, investors and consumers to create an ethical and sustainable battery, which can be used for electric vehicles and in the electronic industry.

Electric car batteries are generally warranted for 8 years of 100,000 miles, but new EV batteries are lasting much longer – in some cases, up to 400,000 miles. Assuming a gas car would last for 200,000 miles, choosing an EV could be like getting two cars for the price of one! Learn more about electric vehicle battery life.

Also, about 1/3 of electric car drivers have rooftop solar, so their electricity is coming from sunshine – saving fuel costs as well as the environment. Learn more about charging your EV with solar panels, finding free places to charge your EV and more about electric vehicle batteries in general with our free guide.

Gasoline will always be a pollutant that emits toxic air pollutants and can only be burned once — emitting 20 pounds of CO2 per gallon, which stays in the atmosphere for thousands of years.

We shouldn’t stop the EV revolution because of electric vehicle batteries.

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We Need To Cut Gasoline Use Faster

Electric vehicles are only getting cleaner. They’re the most effective way to cut gasoline use quickly – especially for those drivers who are using the most gasoline (“gasoline superusers”), who often must commute long distances to work and don’t have access to transit.

Coltura’s 2024 report, "Country Crossroads," sheds light on the hidden challenges faced by "rural Gasoline Superusers" — a small subset of rural drivers who, despite comprising less than 4% of the US population, account for nearly 13% of the nation's gasoline consumption.

 
 
 

EV Battery Concerns FAQ


Why are gasoline-powered cars less sustainable than EVs?

Gasoline emits 20 pounds of CO₂ per gallon, which remains in the atmosphere for thousands of years. In contrast, EVs rely on electricity, which increasingly comes from renewable sources, offering a cleaner, more sustainable alternative. EVs also eliminating tailpipe emissions and reduce our dependence on finite fossil fuels. Learn more about vehicle pollution.

Are electric vehicles truly better for the environment than gasoline cars?

Multiple reports confirm that Electric Vehicles (EVs) are cleaner than gas-powered vehicles over their entire lifecycle, even in regions where coal powers the grid. As EV efficiency increases and renewable energy becomes more common, their environmental benefits grow significantly.

How do EVs compare to gas-powered cars in carbon emissions?

EVs produce four times fewer emissions over their lifetime compared to gas-powered cars, even when battery manufacturing is included. As the industry decarbonizes manufacturing processes and increases battery recycling rates, EVs will become even cleaner.

What percentage of EV drivers power their cars with renewable energy?

Approximately one-third of EV drivers use rooftop solar panels to charge their vehicles, significantly reducing their reliance on fossil fuels. This not only lowers fuel costs but also showcases EVs’ potential for clean energy integration.

What advancements in battery technology could address EV battery environmental concerns?

Rapid innovation in battery technology points to a future where EV battery components may differ greatly. Companies are developing next-generation solutions such as solid-state batteries, sodium-ion, iron-air, and silicon-anode variants, which promise improved sustainability and performance.

How are manufacturers addressing ethical issues in cobalt mining?

Approximately 70% of cobalt comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where child labor and unethical practices are prevalent. In response, the U.S. Department of Energy supports R&D for cobalt-free batteries, and automakers are committing to ethical sourcing. These efforts drive sustainable supply chains across industries.

Are cobalt-free batteries a viable solution?

Yes, cobalt-free batteries are rapidly becoming a reality. Tesla already uses them in half of their vehicles. These batteries eliminate ethical concerns tied to cobalt mining while maintaining high performance and safety standards.

What steps are being taken to reduce the environmental impact of lithium extraction?

Lithium mining, while a very small fraction of total mineral extraction, can strain water resources in deserts like those in Chile. New techniques that use less water and land are under development. In Australia, sustainability in rock mining is also prioritized to minimize ecological harm.

Can lithium shortages impact the EV transition?

While demand for lithium is expected to rise by 20% annually through 2030, efforts are underway to meet this demand. The Salton Sea in California, for instance, could provide enough lithium to meet entire U.S. demand and a third of global demand. Currently, there is a surplus of lithium which is expected to continue until 2027. Learn more.

How are carbon emissions from battery manufacturing being reduced?

Manufacturers are lowering emissions through cleaner processes. For example, Audi’s e-Tron batteries are produced at carbon-neutral facilities, and the company aims for all plants to reach neutrality by 2025. Similarly, CATL commits to reducing its carbon footprint. Increased battery recycling also plays a major role in cutting emissions.

How much of EV battery materials can be recycled?

With current technologies, 95% of an EV battery's materials can be recycled. Companies like Tesla, Ford, and Volvo are investing heavily in recycling infrastructure, ensuring that materials are reused to minimize waste and environmental impact.

What happens to EV batteries when they can no longer power vehicles?

EV batteries that fall to about 70% capacity can be repurposed for electricity storage. Ultimately, up to 95% of battery materials can be recycled. Companies like Tesla, Ford, Volvo, and Toyota are committed to building recycling infrastructure, while policies in the EU and China aim to enforce sustainable recycling practices worldwide.

Why should concerns about EV batteries not hinder the transition to EVs?

Though challenges exist, solutions such as ethical sourcing, advanced recycling, sustainable mining, and cutting-edge battery technologies are in progress. Organizations like Amnesty International call for collaborative action to create sustainable batteries. These efforts ensure that EVs remain a viable, environmentally friendly alternative to gasoline cars, propelling the transition to cleaner transportation without being derailed by battery concerns.

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