[Auto] Chinese batteries are much more polluting than European ones and that is key in electric vehicles

[Noticias ALEJANDRO]

There is no doubt that 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 are much more polluting than European ones and that is due to differences in their manufacturing.

 

 

This is an analysis carried out by Transport & Environment (T&E), which praises the supply chain on our continent and leaves us with some significant data. When the European network is used, carbon emissions in the production of a car are reduced by 37% compared to if the Chinese network is used. That's always talking about local manufacturing with local batteries, which could 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 were used, since the reduction in emissions would be estimated at 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 remainder is still at risk of not happening. That largely depends on government actions.

Countries such as France, Germany and Hungary have made significant progress in attracting gigafactories through subsidies and other incentives for companies. Finland, the United Kingdom, Norway and Spain are among those countries that could have great production capacity, but where 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.

 

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