From 10 percent new electric cars in the second quarter of this year to 100 percent fossil-free driving. Europe is facing this challenge after a decision by the European Union (EU) that no new CO2-emitting cars may be sold in the EU from 2035.

“It’s good that the EU wants and needs that,” says industrial ecologist René Kleijn from Leiden University. “But there are bumps along the way. Europe lags behind a big player like China in the production of electric cars. Our dependence on this country will increase enormously.”

Depends on China

The war in Ukraine showed that we shouldn’t want that, says Benjamin Sprecher, who conducted research on the production chain of electric cars at TU Delft: “It shows that we shouldn’t be too dependent on certain countries for our raw materials . But dependence on China is already high, the spokesman said, so intervening against China in the event of a possible conflict will hit us hard. “What if they invade Taiwan? Then they can put us under pressure.”

The raw materials used for electric car batteries, such as cobalt and lithium, come mainly from countries such as Congo and Australia. “But the further down the production chain, the more dominant China becomes,” says industrial ecologist Kleijn.

China is particularly dominant in the production of car batteries:

So the question is: How can Europe switch to electric driving without relying heavily on China? MEP Jan Huitema, who was involved in the consultation on zero-emission cars for the VVD, recognizes the importance.

“Because this dependency is not only a problem for electric cars, but also for the energy transition. The risk is that we will become increasingly dependent on other countries for the raw materials for our wind turbines and solar modules.” The EU is working on legislation to prevent this.

‘Real friends’

In order to become more independent, the EU relies, among other things, on its own raw material extraction and production of car batteries in Europe. “But if you just look at how long it takes to build a new mine,” says Sprecher from TU Delft. “That could take about 15 years, so it won’t be possible before 2035. China, on the other hand, has recognized the importance of extracting critical raw materials since the 1980s.”

Not everything has to come from Europe. “For example, the EU will also be looking for raw materials in other countries,” adds René Kleijn. “First to real friends like Australia or Canada. But then also to other African countries, for example.”

To recycle

Dependence on China can also be reduced by optimizing electric battery repair and recycling. The idea is that the less new batteries are needed, the less you have to get from China.

“This is mainly long-term,” nuanced Sprecher. “Only after the construction phase, when cars break down years later, can you start recycling. But that’s where the cars have to go first.”

Finally, car batteries can also be used for another purpose. “This means second missionsays Janet Kes from Auto Recycling Nederland. “You can use these batteries, for example, as energy storage in places where there is no electricity.” This can be useful in construction or at festivals, for example, she adds.

“Electric driving won’t solve everything”

If everything goes according to the European Union’s plan, there is still one caveat to be made regarding the electric future. Benjamin Sprecher: “Mining and heavy industry are still needed for battery production and the EU wants to expand that.” According to him, this could have consequences for the environment and the people who have to do the heavy and sometimes dangerous work.

That’s why it’s important that people use the car less often, even if it’s electric, he thinks: “More public transport, more shared cars, buying fewer new cars, that’s the real solution.”