The Carbon Footprint of Solid-State Batteries Throughout Their Lifecycle

Solid-State Batteries (SSBs) are generating a buzz in the world of battery technology, with companies like Toyota and BMW leading the charge in Europe. The potential benefits of SSBs are numerous: increased safety, faster charging times, increased driving range, and potentially lower costs in the long run.

However, when it comes to the environmental impact of SSBs, the picture is not as clear. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, SSBs lack extensive information regarding their environmental footprint. This is a potential drawback that needs to be addressed as we move towards a more sustainable future.

The Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) has been at the forefront of European research in energy and material sciences, coordinating significant projects such as RAPTORplus and COMBINE. These projects involve international research on battery technologies, including SSBs. However, specific details on environmental behavior studies or exact chemical compounds compared with lithium-ion batteries are not explicitly stated in the research.

To fill this gap, Transport & Environment, a non-profit organisation focused on clean mobility, has commissioned Minviro, a company specialising in raw material life-cycle analysis, to conduct a study comparing the environmental performance of SSBs manufactured in Europe with incumbent lithium-ion battery technologies.

The study by Minviro focuses on the global warming potential of SSBs and compares it with current and upcoming chemistries such as nickel-manganese-cobalt-lithium (NMC-811), lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP), and lithium-iron-manganese-phosphate (LFMP). The study is a comprehensive comparison of the environmental impact of SSBs with that of lithium-ion battery technologies.

While the study is ongoing, it is anticipated that SSBs could potentially increase driving range due to their higher energy density and offer increased safety. In the long run, they could lower costs. However, the extent to which SSBs can be considered an environmental opportunity is yet to be definitively established.

As the research continues, it is crucial to keep a close eye on the environmental impact of SSBs. While the potential benefits are promising, it is essential to ensure that these batteries are developed in a way that aligns with our commitment to a sustainable future.