Environmental Impact Of Electric Vehicles Battery

IJEP 41(12): 1345-1351 : Vol. 41 Issue. 12 (December 2021)

R. S. Sandhya Devi1, P. Sivakumar2* and B. Vinod2

1. Kumaraguru College of Technology, Department of EEE, Coimbatore – 641 049, Tamil Nadu, India
2. PSG College of Technology, Department of EEE, Coimbatore – 641 004, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Environmental pollution and high fuel costs have increased demands for an alternative energy source for transportation. Battery will be key element of alternative vehicles. Used electric vehicle batteries could be a critical and inexpensive part of the solution. In this paper, the environmental performance of electricity storage using a life cycle assessment methodology analyze the impacts of the construction, disposal/ end of life and usage of each of the systems. Batteries are identified as a problem material in the waste stream. Batteries are made from a variety of chemicals to power their reactions. Some of these chemicals, such as nickel and cadmium, are extremely toxic and can cause damage to humans and the environment. In particular, they can cause soil and water pollution and endanger wildlife. The environmental impacts assessed are climate change, human toxicity, particulate matter formation and fossil resource depletion. Determining which battery technology is to be used preferably in electric vehicles and to indicate how to further improve the overall environmental friendliness of electric vehicles in the future. There is considerable scientific, political and public interest in the potential of electric vehicles (EV) as replacements for internal combustion engine vehicles. Depending on the electricity mix used, these vehicles could potentially offer considerably reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Battery-powered electric cars (BEVs) play a key role in future mobility scenarios. However, little is known about the environmental impacts of the production, use and disposal of the lithium ion (Li-ion) battery. The major contributor to the environmental burden caused by the battery is the supply of copper and aluminum for the production of the anode and the cathode, plus the required cables or the battery management system. This study provides a sound basis for more detailed environmental assessments of battery based e-mobility.

Keywords

Environmental, Electric vehicle, Battery, Recycling

References

  1. Nordelof, A., et al. 2014. Environmental impacts of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicle what can we learn from life cycle assessment. Int. J. Life Cycle Assess., 19(11):1866-1890.
  2. Sivakumar, P., B. Vinod and R.S. Devi. 2018. Environmental factor considerations for future automotive industry. Ecol. Env. Conser., 24:186-194.
  3. Basbas, S., et al. 2015. Investigation for the implementation of low emission zone in the centre of Volos, Greece. J. Env. Prot. Ecol., 16(2):407-416.
  4. Frischknecht, R. and K. Flurry. 2011. Life cycle assessment of electric mobility : Answers and challenges-Zurich. Int. J. Life Cycle Assess., 16(7): 691-695.
  5. Hawkins, T.R., et al. 2013. Comparative environmental life cycle assessment of conventional and electric vehicles. J. Ind. Ecol., 17(1):53-64.
  6. Helmers, E. and P. Marx. 2012. Electric cars :  Technical charactreristics and environmental impacts. Env. Sci. Europe. 24(1):14.
  7. EIA. 2010. Electric power annual 2008 (DOE/EIA-0348). U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington DC.
  8. EEA. 2011. Greenhouse gas emission trends and projections in Europe. 2011 (EEA report no 4/2011). Tracking progress towards Kyoto and 2020 targets. European Environment Agency, Copen-hagen, Denmark.
  9. Kennedy, B., D. Patterson and S. Comilleri. 2000. Use of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles. J. Power Sources. 90(2):156-162.
  10. Mattheij, J. 2016. The problem with electric vehicles. Technology, Coding and Business.
  11. Elkind, E.N. 2014. Reuse and repower : How to save money and clean the grid with second-life electric vehicle batteries. Berkeley Law, Center for law, Energy and Environment, University of California.
  12. Sivakumar, P., et al. 2018. Electric vehicles-Benefits and challenges. Ecol. Env. Conser., 24:406-410.
  13. Matheys, J., et al. 2009. Comparison of the environmental impact of five electric vehicle battery technologies using LCA. Int. J. Sustain. Manuf., 1(3):318-329.
  14. Prakash, M. 2008. Climate change and transport – Promoting environmentally sustainable transport in the People’s Republic of China. Asian Development Bank.