Will future batteries be greener?

Batteries are the fastest growing storage technology and will ultimately be crucial in helping meet the EU’s decarbonization goals, especially in the road transport sector. Car manufacturers globally are already thinking about what kind of batteries will power the vehicles of the future and, whilst the jury is still out, many regard solid-state batteries (SSBs) as the next generation of battery technology for electric vehicles (EVs). 

The expectations around the potential benefits of SSBs – which replace the liquid electrolytes with innovative solid materials – are high. This technology promises increased safety, longer driving range (due to higher energy density), faster charging times and, eventually, lower costs. However, little is known about their potential environmental impact compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, and whether SSBs are an environmental, as well as industrial, opportunity.

T&E is one of the first to attempt to answer this question. We commissioned a study to Minviro, a company specialised in raw material life-cycle analysis, to look at the environmental performance of SSBs manufactured in Europe in comparison to incumbent lithium-ion battery technologies. The study looks at global warming potential of solid-state batteries and compares them to the current and upcoming chemistries: nickel-manganese-cobalt-lithium (NMC-811), lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) and its promising derivative lithium-iron-manganese-phosphate (LFMP). 

Downoad the T&E report and Minviro lifecycle analysis to find out more.