Investigating greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts from the production of lithium-ion batteries in China

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and environmental burdens in the lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) production stage are essential issues for their sustainable development. In this study, eleven ecological metrics about six typical types of LIBs are investigated using the life cycle assessment method based on the local data of China to assess the ecological impacts and the possibility of carbon neutralization of battery production. Furthermore, the GHG emissions from battery production under electricity mixes in China in the next 40 years are predicted. The results are summarized as follows: (1) The GHG emissions in the production of ternary battery production in China are from 114.3 kg CO2-eq/kWh to 137.0 kg CO2-eq/kWh, which are greater than those of the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries (82.5 kg CO2-eq/kWh). It is found that the carbon emission from cathode production dominates the whole battery production, followed by battery assembly. (2) Almost all ecological indexes of LFP batteries are better than those of ternary batteries. It is beneficial to reduce environmental damage by prioritizing LFP batteries. (3) Under the electricity mixes in China in 2030 and 2060, GHG emissions from battery production will be reduced by at least 30% and 90% compared with 2020, respectively. Green energy is a powerful path to realizing carbon neutralization in battery production.

Automated summary

This study investigates eleven ecological metrics of six typical types of LIBs using the life cycle assessment method based on local data in China, and evaluates the ecological impacts and carbon neutralization potential of battery production. The results show that the ecological indexes of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are better than ternary batteries, prioritizing LFP batteries can reduce environmental damage. Furthermore, the study predicts a reduction in GHG emissions from battery production in China by at least 30% and 90% in 2030 and 2060, respectively, compared to 2020, indicating the importance of green energy in achieving carbon neutralization in battery production.