Eastern Kentucky University
The Environmental Impact of Lithium-Ion Car Battery Manufacturing: Emissions, Resource Extraction, and Future Sustainability
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Environmental Health Science
Minor
Music Performance
Institution 24-25
Eastern Kentucky University
KY House District #
6
KY Senate District #
28
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Ashlee Davis
Department
Dept. of Health Sciences
Abstract
Electric vehicles (EVs) are rapidly becoming more prevalent, and many countries are promoting hybrid and fully electric vehicles through legislation. Thus, driving innovation in battery technology while raising concerns about environmental health effects. Production of lithium-ion batteries consists of extracting and processing raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. The rigorous, energy-consuming process contributes to environmental degradation including depletion of natural resources, habitat destruction, air pollution, water contamination, and human health risks. During manufacturing, emissions of toxic compounds like lithium salts, nickel oxide, and arsenic compounds present risks to the environment and worker safety. Additionally, improper manufacture, disposal or recycling of lithium-ion batteries can lead to leakage, combustion, and/or the release of harmful gases, such as hydrogen fluoride, dimethoxyethane, and polypropylene, exacerbating environmental and human health risks. Despite the benefits of electric vehicles reducing carbon emissions, lithium-ion batteries face sustainability challenges, including the availability of natural resources like cobalt and lithium. These challenges demand a focus on creating more sustainable extraction methods, cleaner production technologies, and resilient recycling programs. Advancing alternative energy storage solutions is essential to minimize the ecological and human health footprint of lithium-ion technology and ensure the longevity of vehicle technologies.
The Environmental Impact of Lithium-Ion Car Battery Manufacturing: Emissions, Resource Extraction, and Future Sustainability
Electric vehicles (EVs) are rapidly becoming more prevalent, and many countries are promoting hybrid and fully electric vehicles through legislation. Thus, driving innovation in battery technology while raising concerns about environmental health effects. Production of lithium-ion batteries consists of extracting and processing raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. The rigorous, energy-consuming process contributes to environmental degradation including depletion of natural resources, habitat destruction, air pollution, water contamination, and human health risks. During manufacturing, emissions of toxic compounds like lithium salts, nickel oxide, and arsenic compounds present risks to the environment and worker safety. Additionally, improper manufacture, disposal or recycling of lithium-ion batteries can lead to leakage, combustion, and/or the release of harmful gases, such as hydrogen fluoride, dimethoxyethane, and polypropylene, exacerbating environmental and human health risks. Despite the benefits of electric vehicles reducing carbon emissions, lithium-ion batteries face sustainability challenges, including the availability of natural resources like cobalt and lithium. These challenges demand a focus on creating more sustainable extraction methods, cleaner production technologies, and resilient recycling programs. Advancing alternative energy storage solutions is essential to minimize the ecological and human health footprint of lithium-ion technology and ensure the longevity of vehicle technologies.