Velo guide: Where do the raw materials in e-bike batteries come from?

class = “sc-cffd1e67-0 iQNQmc”>

I pay particular attention to sustainable and socially acceptable products. Where do the lithium, cobalt and other raw materials in e-bike batteries come from? Are there e-bikes that don’t use rare earths as raw materials?
S. Sutter, Freiburg

Lithium ion batteries are widely used in e-bikes, as in electric cars. They have a particularly high energy density, saving space and weight. Lithium mining, particularly in the salty deserts of South America and the mining mines of Australia, is associated with environmental damage and high water consumption (also interesting: How harmful is lithium, really?). Other essential materials are nickel, manganese and cobalt, mostly from East Asia and Africa. Their mining often takes place under socially and ecologically questionable conditions.

But the rare earth elements are in the electric motor, not the battery (also interesting: the rare earth elements myth). They are indispensable for now and come primarily from China. The assembly of batteries is also environmentally questionable because it requires a lot of water and emits large amounts of CO₂. Additionally, disposal of batteries after five to ten years of life is problematic due to their toxicity. At least some of the materials contained in old batteries can be recovered and reused.

Repair rather than replace

Battery manufacturers and universities around the world are researching new battery and motor technologies. The driving forces here are the automotive and energy industries, which rely on the efficient and sustainable storage of electrical energy. However, experts predict that it will not be possible to get rid of lithium in the next decade or two. Until technical developments get to this point, the goal is to engineer e-bike batteries to work for as long as possible. If it is faulty, it should be repaired first rather than replaced if possible (also interesting: What to do if the e-bike battery breaks?).

Source: Blick