Solid-state Batteries Are Proposed To Be Future EV Batteries Because They Are More Environmentally Friendly

Electric car batteries in the future must be environmentally friendly. (photo: doc. Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Solid-state batteries are said to be able to reduce the carbon footprint of electric vehicle (EV) batteries by 29% compared to liquid lithium-ion batteries. According to an eco campaign group in Europe on Tuesday, July 19, these batteries can reduce their carbon footprint even further by using materials sourced from environmentally friendly materials in a sustainable manner,

According to Transport and Environment (T&E), based on a comparison of one of the most promising solid-state batteries with lithium-ion technology and using sustainable lithium sources, the battery's carbon footprint can be reduced by as much as 39%,

The European climate group is calling for incentives to cut carbon footprints in new EV battery regulations that are being finalized by the European parliament and EU member states.

"Electric vehicles are already much better for the planet," T&E clean vehicles officer Cecilia Mattea said in a statement. "But solid state technology is a step change because a higher energy density means much less material, and therefore much less emissions, is required to make it."

Solid-state batteries, which use a solid ceramic material instead of a liquid electrolyte to conduct electricity, can store more energy, charge faster, and offer greater safety than liquid lithium-ion batteries.

Automakers including Ford and BMW have teamed up with battery suppliers to develop solid-state batteries and they will start appearing in EVs in the second half of the decade.

Solid state batteries require less graphite and cobalt, metals mostly produced in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has a large informal sector with a legacy of unsafe work practices and child labour.

T&E said new lithium mining methods such as geothermal wells emit far less CO2 than more commonly used sources including lithium from hard rock mined in Australia and refined in China.