An Economic-Environmental Analysis of Lithium Ion Batteries Based on Process Design and a Manufacturing Equipment Database

Abstract

This study evaluates the costs and carbon dioxide emissions associated with the production of various lithium ion batteries using current and more advanced materials. We constructed an evaluation system which enables the user to quantitatively clarify the effect of each elemental technology on battery performance and production costs. This method allows the evaluation of production costs and CO₂ emissions of present and future batteries in terms of future technology development, production scale-up effects, and the use of high-performance new materials. As an example, a battery using innovative cathode and anode materials was evaluated by the process design approach. The future production cost and CO₂ emissions for this battery are reduced from 17.5 to 4.6 JPY W h⁻¹ and 161 to 37 g-CO₂ W h⁻¹, compared to the present batteries, indicating significant impacts on energy use. Finally, the important areas in battery research and development are highlighted, and a roadmap for battery technology is proposed.