Li-ion batteries in electric cars greener than believed

For the initial time, researchers at Empa have made a detailed life cycle assessment (LCA) or ecobalance of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, in particular the chemically improved (i.e. a lot much more environmentally friendly) version on the ones most frequently employed in electrical vehicles.

The investigation shows that if the energy utilized to charge the battery is not derived from purely hydroelectric sources, then it is primarily the operation in the electric vehicle, which has an environmental impact, precisely as is the case with conventionally fuelled automobiles.

The size with the environmental footprint depends on which sources of power are employed to "fuel" the e-mobile.

About the other hand, the Li-ion battery itself has a limited impact on the LCA within the electric powered vehicle.

This is contrary to initial expectations that the manufacture of the batteries could negate the benefits within the electric powered drive.

Battery powered electric powered cars are often promoted as the ideal solution on the challenges of future mobility, since they produce no exhaust gases in operation.

Li-ion batteries have established themselves over competing lead-acid and nickel metal-hydride (NiMH) varieties as a result of the fact they're lighter and can store additional energy.

Li-ion batteries are also basically maintenance-free, display no memory effect (loss of capacity when repeatedly charged after partial discharge), have a low self-discharge rate and are regarded as secure and long-lived.

Researchers at Empa's "Technology and Society Laboratory" decided to come across out if they're also environmentally friendly for sure.

They calculated the ecological footprints of electric powered cars fitted with Li-ion batteries, taking into account all achievable relevant factors, from those associated with the production of individual parts all the way via towards scrapping on the vehicle also as the disposal of the remains, such as the operation with the vehicle throughout its lifetime.

The analyze shows that the electric powered car's Li-ion battery drive is in fact only a moderate environmental burden.

At most only 15 per cent with the total burden might be ascribed on the battery (for instance its manufacture, maintenance and disposal). Half of this figure, that's about 7.5 per cent with the total environmental burden, occurs throughout the refining and manufacture inside the battery's raw materials, copper and aluminium.

The production in the lithium, from the other hand, is responsible for only 2.three per cent inside the total.

"Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries aren't as poor as previously assumed," said Dominic Notter, coauthor with the analyze.

The Empa team concluded that a petrol-engined auto require to consume between three and four litres per 100 kilometers (or about 70 mpg) to be able to be as environmentally friendly as the e-car studied, powered with Li-ion batteries and charged with a typical European electricity mix.

The study has just been published within the scientific journal "Environmental Science and Technology".