Decarbonizing the supply chain of raw materials for electric vehicle (EV) batteries is the ultimate frontier of deep decarbonization in transportation. While circularity is key, decarbonizing primary production is equally imperative. Here, we provide a blueprint for available strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the primary production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide, cobalt sulfate, nickel sulfate, natural graphite, and synthetic graphite. Shifting to renewable electricity and electrifying heat for mining and refining operations and reagents production emerges as a promising avenue. Combined, these measures can reduce the GHG emissions intensity by 53%–86% for the analyzed production routes. However, these reductions may not achieve absolute decoupling of GHG emissions from the growing demand driven by the rollout of EVs. Bridging this gap may require additional strategies, including low-carbon haul trucks, electrification of processing equipment, reagents regeneration and/or substitution, alternative reducing agents, improvements in material recovery rates, or new and emerging production technologies. Ultimately, an optimized portfolio of strategies is crucial for decarbonizing the production of raw materials that will power a net-zero future.

中文翻译：

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锂离子电池一次原材料供应链脱碳


电动汽车 （EV） 电池原材料供应链脱碳是交通运输深度脱碳的最终前沿。虽然循环性是关键，但初级生产脱碳同样势在必行。在这里，我们提供了减少电池级氢氧化锂、硫酸钴、硫酸镍、天然石墨和合成石墨初级生产过程中的温室气体 （GHG） 排放的可用策略蓝图。转向可再生电力和电气化供能用于采矿和精炼作业以及试剂生产成为一条很有前途的途径。这些措施结合起来，可以将所分析的生产路线的温室气体排放强度降低 53%-86%。然而，这些减排可能无法实现温室气体排放与电动汽车推出所推动的不断增长的需求完全脱钩。弥合这一差距可能需要额外的策略，包括低碳运输卡车、加工设备的电气化、试剂再生和/或替代、替代还原剂、提高材料回收率或新兴的生产技术。归根结底，优化的策略组合对于原材料生产脱碳至关重要，这将为净零未来提供动力。