Decarbonizing lithium-ion battery primary raw materials supply chain

Abstract

Decarbonizing the supply chain of raw materials for electric vehicle (EV) batteries is the ultimate frontier of deep decarbonization in transportation. While circularity is key, decarbonizing primary production is equally imperative. Here, we provide a blueprint for available strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the primary production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide, cobalt sulfate, nickel sulfate, natural graphite, and synthetic graphite. Shifting to renewable electricity and electrifying heat for mining and refining operations and reagents production emerges as a promising avenue. Combined, these measures can reduce the GHG emissions intensity by 53%–86% for the analyzed production routes. However, these reductions may not achieve absolute decoupling of GHG emissions from the growing demand driven by the rollout of EVs. Bridging this gap may require additional strategies, including low-carbon haul trucks, electrification of processing equipment, reagents regeneration and/or substitution, alternative reducing agents, improvements in material recovery rates, or new and emerging production technologies. Ultimately, an optimized portfolio of strategies is crucial for decarbonizing the production of raw materials that will power a net-zero future.