The production of batteries for electric cars does not necessarily contribute to the climate-friendly balance of the vehicles. However, the ecological footprint of e-car batteries could improve significantly if they were produced in Europe.
The number of electric cars registered in Germany passed the million mark for the first time at the end of 2022. As of January 2024, there are now around 1.4 million electrically powered vehicles registered in Germany.
This figure is set to increase significantly by 2030. According to the German government’s plans, there should be a total of 15 million fully electric vehicles on German roads by then.
In order to actually achieve this goal, the production of batteries for electric cars must also be boosted. However, production at European locations is not yet able to keep up with this volume.
Batteries for e-cars from the EU
The number of lithium-ion batteries expected to be needed by 2030 still differs significantly from the number that Europe will be able to produce itself by then. According to an analysis by the non-profit organization Transport & Environment Germany, Europe can currently only cover 47 percent – and therefore not even half – of the demand.
The proportion has increased – a year ago it was only a third. But T&E Germany still sees a need for action here. “Batteries and the raw materials needed to produce them are the new oil. In order to fully exploit the benefits for the climate and the industry, European heads of state and government must act together and with a clear focus,” explains Managing Director Sebastian Bock.
Strict sustainability standards are particularly important to drive forward production in Europe. This could also significantly improve the CO2 footprint for batteries, for example.
Less CO2 emissions from battery production
If the EU were to import its non-self-produced requirements for batteries for e-cars from China, for example, this would have a significant impact on the CO2 footprint of the batteries. As T&E has calculated, production in Europe could reduce the emissions generated during the manufacture of a battery by 37 percent.
The difference is even more significant if renewable energies are used in the manufacturing process. This is because the savings potential is then even more than 60 percent.
According to this, production in Europe that covers the demand for batteries for electric cars by 2030 would save an estimated 133 million tons of CO2. That would be equivalent to the Czech Republic’s annual emissions.
EU must present strict standards for the production of batteries for electric cars
T&E is a non-profit organization that says it is focused on the decarbonization of transport in Europe by 2050. It is calling for clearer guidelines at EU level. The EU must introduce “more ambitious regulations for electric vehicles”.
T&E includes strict sustainability standards for batteries so that production within Europe can prevail. But better financing instruments are also crucial here.
