Life cycle analysis and environmental impact of the lithium-ion NMC 811 battery

Abstract

The lithium-ion NMC 811 battery, composed of 80% nickel, 10% manganese, and 10% cobalt in weight, is a viable option for use in electric vehicles (EVs) due to its high energy density, long lifespan, and reduced cobalt content. As EVs are becoming increasingly popular, understanding the environmental impact of NMC 811 cells through life cycle analysis (LCA) is crucial in assessing their sustainability for more long-term and widespread use. Using the LCA software OpenLCA and analyzing factors such as the resources and processes needed to produce NMC cells, more information can be discovered regarding how much each specific component of NMC battery production impacts the environment. A simulation is run representing the raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, use, and recycling phases of NMC 811. The various differing quantities of resources account for various percentages of total energy consumption, and some processes within the production of batteries consume much larger amounts of energy. Results of the simulation would show the energy consumption distribution and environment impact contribution of the NMC 811 battery [1]. A greater understanding of the life cycle of NMC can help reduce environmental impact with additional research. Knowing which processes account for the most energy consumption can be helpful in developing more sustainable methods as they can be targeted and improved upon.

[1]       Y. Deng, J. Li, T. Li, X. Gao, C. Yuan, Journal of Power Sources, 2017, 343, 284.