SAE Update - June 2023 - 13

Delivering on the promise of electric vehicles
TECH FOCUS:
SUSTAiNABlE MOBiliTy
power EVs. Princeton University's Net Zero America
report contemplates a future in which electric vehicles
replace internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) in
a vertiginous climb: 49 million in 2030, 204 million in
2040 and, by 2050, 328 million. All of these vehicles
will require batteries. While electric vehicles produce
no tailpipe emissions, cell creation generates
significant GHG emissions and environmental impact.
The lithium and other rare earth components are
products of the land, water, energy, and laborintensive
practice of mining.
We have a generalized sense that even with battery
sourcing, EVs are still lower in their overall
environmental impact. The truth in measuring
sustainability of any process is, however, that " it all
depends. " In this case, it depends on the data needed
for measurements, on the context of the
manufacturing, use, and other variables.
One of the best ways to ensure EVs constitute
cleaner alternatives to ICEVs is to establish closed
loops for their materials and share data about those
components. Studies show that while the average
EV's life spans eight to ten years, its lithium-ion
battery can be taken out with plenty of capacity left
to use as a storage device-about 80%. Planning for
re-use must become part of the engineering process
from the beginning. Results of an Australian study
comparing a re-used EV battery vs. a new one showed
a drop over eight impact categories, including global
warming potential, terrestrial acidification potential,
and water consumption.
Communicated in a standard format on a precompetitive
basis, data from battery manufacturers,
suppliers, vehicle producers, and others are essential
to scaling these promising trends. In the European
Union, an array of new regulations are meant to drive
UPDATE
June 2023
13
traceability of battery materials.
Among these is a digital
identifier, or " battery passport, "
with information necessary for
re-use and recycling. The U.S.'s
own battery industry, catalyzed
by the Inflation Reduction Act
tax incentives, is growing rapidly.
Now is the time to collaborate on
a framework for traceability
without compromising the
competition that drives
innovation.
Solving the technological
challenges associated with EV
SAE Update - June 2023

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