A Critical Review on Electric Vehicle Batteries — Based on Life Cycle Assessment Method

Abstract

Currently, the production of electric vehicles and the lithium batteries that powers them is increasing significantly. Thus, this dissertation combines the literature review approach and the life cycle assessment (LCA) method to investigate the environmental or social impact of lithium batteries for electric vehicles from cradle to grave. According to the literature review, the environmental impacts of lithium batteries include carbon dioxide and harmful electrolyte emissions, water pollution, air pollution, solid waste emissions, gaseous pollutants, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, heavy metals, organic pollutants, particulate matter and CO₂ emissions. Therefore, lithium batteries for electric vehicles pose a great environmental concern. In addition, the confusion surrounding the definition of lithium batteries in LCA can pose a significant concern. The in-depth analysis reveals that there is a lack of uniform data on EV lithium batteries, a low recycling rate of lithium batteries, and a lack of waste stream management. There is no uniformity in the technology and development of lithium batteries among countries such as China, Canada, and the USA. As a result, the secondary data may only represent this region. Besides, the literature consulted covers a long period of time. There is little possibility that the negative environmental impact of earlier technology like the burning of lithium batteries in incinerators can now be improved. Moreover, lithium batteries are still in the development stage. Therefore, there is still room for potential development in the future.