There is no doubt that the batteries are the key component of electric cars. They are what gives the vehicle autonomy, but also what determines its weight. It is also the one that worries the industry the most, due to its recycling at the end of its useful life, due to the rare materials it uses or due to the level of contamination in its production process. Now a study says that batteries made in China they are much more polluting than European ones and that is due to the differences in their manufacturing.
This is an analysis done by Transport & Environment (T&E), which praises the supply chain on our continent and leaves us with some significant data. When using the European network, carbon emissions are reduced by 37% in the production of a car regarding whether the Chinese network is used. That's always talking about local manufacturing with local batteries, what you could get save up to 133 Mt of CO2 between 2024 and 2030 compared to producing a car here using a Chinese battery.
The thing is that it could be taken a step further if renewable energy sources, since the reduction in emissions would be 62%. However, many manufacturers are betting on relocation and some projects to bring battery factories to our continent remain in doubt. They say that less than half of the lithium-ion battery production planned for Europe until 2030 is safe, the rest is still at risk if it doesn't happen. That largely depends on government actions.
Countries like France, Germany and Hungary They have made important progress in attracting gigafactories through subsidies and other attractions for companies. Finland, the United Kingdom, Norway and Spain are among those countries that They could have a great capacity of production, but in which the risk is greater. It would be important to attract this investment at an industrial level and also for the future due to the reduction of total emissions.
By 2026 Europe could manufacture enough battery cells to meet your own demand, so it is time to continue advancing in this area. There is also talk of a potential to manufacture 56% of its demand for cathodes (the most valuable components of the battery) by 2030, so by the end of decades it is important to achieve a global raw materials strategy and sharp diplomacy that puts the easy things.
