Is EV Tech trying to clean up its act?

A good thing isn’t always a great thing and often needs improvement. Many were sold on EVs being environmentally friendly and a “green” choice when it comes to car buying. Upon deeper digging, the processes and materials used to make electric vehicles come with their own consequences, as we discussed in a recent blog. Turns out, automakers need to find better ways to source their materials and produce the cars if they truly want to make a difference for the planet. 

So how are OEMs working to clean up their act when it comes to EV?

Cobalt out. LFP in.

Although scarce, cobalt has been a highly preferred source for making lithium ion batteries because it has high energy density without the risk of overheating, but that is about the only pro to cobalt. It is expensive, dangerous to mine, and hard to get a hold of. The reality of mining cobalt is ugly and includes the use of child labor and extrememly treacherous working conditions.

Understandably so, the EV boom has increased the demand for cobalt to rise, but thankfully, other options are being researched. Some automakers in China are using lithium-iron phosphate batteries, also known as LFP (lithium ferrophosphate) to make EV batteries. Unlike cobalt, iron is more abundant than other materials used to make batteries, making it a viable alternative. Tesla actually began using LFP back in October and will be using the material moving forward for all their vehicles. One known downside to LFP is its inability to support larger vehicles and longer driving ranges. It is more suitable for smaller vehicles with smaller driving ranges. Similarly, nickel is being looked into as well, but it comes with the same restrictions as LFP.

Search for new lithium extraction technology. 

A very important ingredient in making EV batteries is lithium. Current methods of extracting lithium are being investigated. Traditional lithium extraction involves pumping brine into ponds and waiting several months to process it. Because it takes so long, it actually creates more emissions that it would make up for in batteries in electric vehicles. 

Plus, the extraction process can create other long-term environmental issues. According to lawsuits over a proposed new lithium mine in Nevada, the process would use billions of gallons of groundwater (in a desert, where water is already scarce) and contaminate the water in the area for up to 300 years. Not to mention, at this particular site, they plan to blow up a mountain. How environmentally friendly does that sound?

Companies are working hard at what is looking like the key to sourcing lithium. Specifically, a company called Controlled Thermal Resources has proposed ‘direct extraction’ which is supposed to be much faster and less environmentally damaging. Lithium can be produced in days or weeks as opposed to years. Basically it is removed directly from the brine, processed, and then everything left goes back underground.

While they may be researching these new methods to mine lithium, that doesn’t seem to be stopping anyone from continuing to use current, questionable methods for now.

In the meantime, Controlled Thermal Resources has its targets set on another mining location in the western US. The Salton Sea used to be a hot spot in California for a leisurely swim, but now it’s toxic… and a goldmine for lithium. Now, it’s predicted to supply 600,000 tons of lithium a year and the first phase of production is expected in 2024, something U.S. industry (and government) is excited about as it wants to decrease foreign dependence on materials. Being that supply chain issues are so relevant and lithium prices have increased, it gives the push needed to start this project at Salton Sea. 

An extra perk is that the Salton Sea uses carbon-free steam to mine the lithium. To summarize, we’ve got the demand, the supply, a faster extracting method, and the research/funding needed. It sounds like this could possibly be successful. 

Automakers really are taking this green thing seriously.

GM has invested a lot of money into direct extraction and the Controlled Thermal Resources research and development. The brand has put themselves in a good spot to secure enough lithium from the Salton Sea to use in their EV batteries. 

Porsche believes that batteries need to be completely re-done in order to meet the new emissions standards in the future. The game plan to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions is to develop batteries that are more efficient, require its suppliers (including battery suppliers) to use renewable power, and choose suppliers closer to their plants to reduce travel time. 

To show their efforts are serious, the Porsche Taycan has been carbon neutral since they began production at their Zuffenhausen plant. They plan to heavily invest in decarbonization. Instead of graphite, new batteries are being produced with silicon as the anode material, which has a high energy density and can power more efficiently. Using less cobalt and aluminum also decreases Porsche’s carbon emissions by a good percentage. 

Good things are happening.

It can be disappointing to find out something that seemed so good, actually wasn’t. But the good news is that people care about the environment, they care about what materials are sourced, and ultimately want to help. Finding better alternatives to use in making EV batteries is a huge step in the right direction.