A review of the life cycle carbon footprint of electric vehicle batteries

Facing increasingly severe climate change, countries and regions around the world are actively promoting the electrification of the transportation sector and encouraging the use of electric vehicles (EVs) to replace traditional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). However, the consumption of energy, resources, and power during battery production and use results in EVs not being as low-carbon as we expect. Therefore, the carbon emissions of batteries should be fully considered when promoting EVs. In this context, we systematically reviewed the life cycle carbon footprint of batteries. Specifically, the carbon emissions of batteries in the production, use, secondary utilization, and recycling phases are summarized, and the main influencing factors of carbon emissions in different stages are analyzed. Furthermore, the relevant suggestions for reducing the life cycle carbon footprint of batteries are proposed, which provides guidance for the large-scale deployment of EVs, reducing transportation carbon emissions, achieving carbon neutrality, and sustainable development of energy, environment, and economy.