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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Mohammad RajaeifarORCiD, Professor Oliver Heidrich
This is the authors' accepted manuscript of an article that has been published in its final definitive form by American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2021.
For re-use rights please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.
ransport electrification is a key element of decarbonization strategies; thus, the design, production, manufacture, use, and disposal of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are taking center stage. The environmental, economic, and social consequences of the battery life cycle are high on political agendas, owing to exponential growth in metals extraction; the climate impacts of battery production; and uncertainties in battery end-of-life (EOL) safety, recyclability, and environmental consequences (1) [see figs. S1 to S3 in the supplementary materials]. The European Union (EU) has proposed a new Battery Regulation (2) that intends to ensure sustainability for batteries placed on the EU market (see the figure), developing a robust European battery industry and value chain. The Regulation is very much needed, but, as discussed below, it will have global implications, with perhaps some unintended consequences. If left unaddressed, the Regulation, at worst, could hamper climate change mitigation targets and fall short of its intentions to promote a circular economy and establish a socially acceptable raw material supply chain.
Author(s): Melin HE, Rajaeifar MA, Ku AY, Kendall A, Harper G, Heidrich O
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Science
Year: 2021
Volume: 373
Issue: 6553
Pages: 384-387
Online publication date: 23/07/2021
Acceptance date: 15/07/2021
Date deposited: 07/10/2021
ISSN (print): 0036-8075
ISSN (electronic): 1095-9203
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science
URL: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abh1416
DOI: 10.1126/science.abh1416
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