Electric vehicles are cleaner than gasoline cars, but battery production needs improvement for sustainability. Current batteries rely on ethically sourced lithium and cobalt, often mined in China, raising supply chain concerns. Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a method to use coal instead of graphite, enhancing environmental friendliness. This process can utilize coal waste, potentially supplying 30% of battery needs by 2050. Additionally, recycling could support future lithium supplies, making electric vehicles even cleaner.
The Need for Improvement in Electric Car Batteries
While it’s clear that electric vehicles (EVs) are significantly cleaner than traditional gasoline-powered cars, there’s still room for enhancement to reach a truly sustainable solution. A major focus area is the development of environmentally friendly batteries, which currently face several challenges.
An Innovative Approach to Battery Production
Today’s batteries often rely on materials such as lithium and cobalt, which are frequently sourced under questionable ethical conditions. A significant concern arises from the fact that many of these metals are mined in countries like China. For instance, graphite, a lesser-known yet crucial component in battery production, is required in quantities that are 20 to 30 times greater than lithium for each battery’s manufacture. This reliance on graphite, primarily sourced from China, raises concerns about supply chain vulnerabilities as markets, including the European Union, seek to diminish dependency on this nation. In response, the EU plans to invest in local battery production initiatives.
Fortunately, researchers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in the United States have pioneered a groundbreaking method that eliminates the need for graphite in battery design. Instead of utilizing graphite, they propose using coal, which can be processed to create an alternative component for batteries. Although coal is also carbon-based like graphite, the innovative techniques developed by ORNL scientists are what set this discovery apart.
According to Prashant Nagapurkar, a researcher at ORNL, “the graphite made with coal is the most environmentally friendly form possible.” He further emphasizes that if renewable energy powers the production process, it enhances the sustainability of the entire operation, potentially leading to cleaner electric vehicles in the future.
Additionally, this new technique has a dual advantage: it can effectively utilize not only newly mined coal but also waste products, such as ash and leftover materials from mining processes. This approach minimizes environmental damage associated with mining and protects the health of workers in developing regions. By employing this method, researchers estimate that coal waste in the U.S. could fulfill approximately 30% of the battery requirements for electric vehicles by 2050. Furthermore, recovering materials from used batteries could significantly contribute to the supply of lithium and other essential elements. A recent study suggests that recycling efforts in Europe could power over two million electric cars by 2030, potentially making zero-emission vehicles even cleaner in the coming decades.
Moreover, the ORNL team has indicated that their innovative process could extend beyond coal. Edgar Lara-Curzio, the project leader, notes that “the pyrolysis of methane, which can be utilized to produce hydrogen, generates solid carbon as a by-product, which could be electrochemically graphitized for lithium-ion battery applications.” However, it is essential to recognize that this technology is still in its infancy, and it may take several years before it can be implemented on a large scale.