Environmental evaluation of future generations of batteries, implementation of eco-design in a R&D context

Abstract

Rechargeable batteries play a decisive role in the deployment of low-carbon electric mobility. However, their environmental cost in terms of resource depletion, toxicity, and end-of-life recovery, among others, must not be overlooked. Because of the massive volume of batteries foreseen to be deployed worldwide and the rapid evolution of the battery industry with the emergence of new high-density energy technologies, it is necessary to analyse their technological feasibility according to a lifecycle approach, in order to identify the environmental impacts of these innovations when they are at a low level of maturity. The objective is to integrate environmental performance criteria early in the development of these new generations of batteries. This work aimed at supporting the actors involved in the technological research to incorporate the environmental dimension into their R&D activities. Thus, two technologies (advanced lithium-ion and lithium-sulphur) with different technological maturities were analysed through a multi-criteria environmental assessment approach. The method applied fulfils the support requirements of the upstream actors during the implementation of their R&D activities in the design of future generations of batteries for electric mobility.