The carbon footprint of lithium ion batteries can vary significantly depending on the types of raw materials used and the location of production, according to Benchmark’sBattery Emissions Analyser.

Producing high-nickel lithium ion batteries in Sweden rather than China could help reduce a cell’s carbon footprint by >25%, according to Benchmark. And using lithium mined from brine in South America rather than from mica in China can reduce LFP cell emissions by up to ~30%, the data shows.

How are battery emissions calculated?

The results highlight the importance of accounting for the whole supply chain when measuring battery emissions, to enable more transparency for customers and consumers. The world’s largest battery producers currently only account for their direct emissions – known as Scope 1 and 2 emissions – rather than those stemming from their supply chains.

CATL, the world’s largest battery producer, said its total greenhouse gas emissions, Scope 1 and 2, last year were 2 million tonnes CO2e, but this would be much higher if the supply chain was taken into account.

With global lithium-ion battery production set to grow significantly from 1 TWh in 2023 to an estimated 5 TWh by 2033, understanding the environmental impact of these technologies is crucial.

Benchmark’sBattery Emissions Analysertool allows for comparison of the carbon intensity of varying battery cells depending on cathode and anode chemistry, region of production, and processing routes for battery materials.

It shows that the carbon footprint of battery production could be cut by as much as 70% by using renewable electricity, as well as choosing different types of battery raw materials.

How important is the source of electricity?

Sweden relies on renewable energy for more than 60% of its electricity supply, while in China, coal-fired power plants still provide 75% of electricity.

Sweden’s grid is dominated by hydroelectric and nuclear power, while wind power is taking up a growing proportion of supply.

Swedish battery company Northvolt has said its current battery emissions are as low as 33 kg CO2/kWh but it is aiming for 10 kg CO2/kWh by 2030, including Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.

The company uses 100% renewable energy to power its Northvolt Ett factory in the north of Sweden, mostly from hydropower and wind power. Northvolt’s battery production in the country is set to increase nine-fold this decade to over 45 gigawatt hours, according to Benchmark’s Lithium ion Battery database.

Within China, however, the source of electricity can also make a big difference to emissions. CATL, the world’s largest battery producer, said last year that it relied on renewable energy for 65% of its energy needs, an increase of 39% since 2022, which resulted in the greenhouse gas emissions intensity of its battery production falling by 45% in 2023 from a year earlier.

What is the impact of raw materials?

Still, when it comes to the carbon footprint of a battery, it is the raw materials in the cathode and anode that contribute the majority of the carbon footprint share.

The ore from which lithium is extracted can have sizeable impacts on the overall carbon intensity of a cell, due to the energy required to convert the ore to lithium chemical.

When comparing the production of an LFP cell with lithium chemical from different sources, the cell with lithium from brine has an up to ~30% lower overall carbon intensity.

This highlights the growing importance of raw material sourcing for cells, due to the emphasis being placed on the carbon footprint of batteries with regulation such as the EU Battery Regulation.

Similarly, with graphite, the location of synthetic graphite production has a meaningful impact on the carbon emissions of the battery. Synthetic graphite produced in coal-heavy Inner Mongolia has >35% higher carbon emissions than using the average electricity grid in China.

Battery Emissions Analyser

Benchmark’sBattery Emissions Analyserprovides carbon intensity assessment for 8 different battery chemistries including:

• LFP

• NCM low nickel

• NCM mid nickel

• NCM high nickel

• NCA

• LCO

• 4V Ni or Mn based

• 5V Mn based

This service can also be tailored to suit your needs, allowing for comparison between your battery product against other battery cell chemistries, or estimation of your product’s carbon impact emissions in the battery supply chain, and more.

To learn more about our Battery Emissions Analyser, ESG Reports and Life Cycle Assessment products and services, fill out this form below and we’ll be in touch: