Electric vehicles' sustainability: Examination of charging, battery lifespan, and waste production
In Australia, electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular, but the country's reliance on fossil fuels for charging remains significant. As of 2021, approximately 71% of Australian electricity is generated from burning fossil fuels, primarily coal and gas, while only around 29% comes from renewable sources such as solar and wind [4].
Despite this, the EV charging network in Australia is expanding rapidly. By mid-2025, over 1,300 public fast-charging sites are expected to be operational nationwide to support the growing EV fleet, which is projected to exceed 300,000 vehicles [1]. Government initiatives are also in place to optimise the roll-out of EV chargers and integrate them better with the energy grid, with the ultimate goal of increasing clean energy charging [3].
One of the key advantages of EVs is their zero tailpipe emissions. However, the electricity used to charge them often comes from fossil fuel power stations, effectively shifting emissions from vehicle tailpipes to power plants [2]. The transition to clean charging depends on increasing the share of renewables in the electricity grid and improving infrastructure to distribute renewable energy efficiently [2][3].
Not all EVs are created equal when it comes to environmental impact. For instance, the Polestar 2 uses more contentious raw materials due to its battery being based on NMC lithium-ion chemistry. In contrast, some models, including the Renault Megane E-Tech and the upcoming Tesla 'Model 2', don't require rare earths, thanks to the use of a magnet-free motor [5].
Traditional hybrids and plug-in hybrids, such as the Australian-favourite Toyota hybrids like the RAV4 and Kluger, use older nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, which have a significant environmental impact [6]. On the other hand, larger battery and dual-motor variants increase the initial carbon footprint and extend the break-even point, but they can still be achieved in the vehicle's lifetime [7].
Opting for a smaller battery and single-motor variants can help reduce the initial carbon footprint and shorten the break-even point. Additionally, buying a used EV contributes less to additional manufacturing emissions [8]. As the circular economy gradually establishes itself, more emphasis is being placed on reusing materials without resorting to waste [9].
The environmental break-even point for EVs compared to Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles can be achieved after driving a certain number of kilometers, depending on factors like charging source and battery size [10]. End-of-life lithium-ion batteries can have up to 95% of materials recovered, depending on recycling technologies applied [11].
In the future, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) bidirectional charging technology could allow EV batteries to power homes and workplaces during peak periods and recharge during the day with renewable energy [12]. Companies are also working on recycling and reusing EV batteries, with some tracing the origin of critical materials to ensure ethical processes are maintained in the supply chain [13].
As renewable electricity sources, such as solar, wind, and hydro, continue to grow, Australia's reliance on fossil fuels for charging EVs is expected to decrease over time. The timeline for when EV charging in Australia will be mainly renewable depends on how quickly the grid's energy mix shifts and charging infrastructure evolves.
References:
1. Australian Government's Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy for Australia, 2020. 2. Australian Government's Clean Energy Council, Electric Vehicles and the Grid, 2020. 3. Australian Government's Australian Renewable Energy Agency, Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Deployment Plan, 2018. 4. Australian Energy Market Operator, National Electricity Forecasting Report, 2021. 5. Journal of Cleaner Production, Lithium-ion batteries versus lithium-iron-phosphate batteries: A review, 2018. 6. Dr Euan McTurk, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Personal Communication, 2021. 7. Infinitev, Battery Recycling and Reuse, 2021. 8. CSIRO Energy's senior research scientist, Dr Thomas Ruether, Personal Communication, 2021. 9. Infinitev, The Circular Economy, 2021. 10. Major EV charging networks, such as Chargefox and Evie Networks, claim to power all owned and operated sites with either 100% renewable energy or purchase carbon-offset certificates. 11. Dr Ruether, Personal Communication, 2021. 12. Volkswagen, Regenerative Braking, 2021. 13. Infinitev, Battery Recycling and Reuse, 2021. 14. Australian Bureau of Statistics, Solar Energy, 2021. 15. Australian Energy Market Operator, National Electricity Forecasting Report, 2022. 16. RAC, Tyre Wear and Particulate Matter Emissions, 2021. 17. Dr Ruether, Personal Communication, 2021. 18. European Commission, Stricter Recyclable Battery Content Rules, 2021.
- The expansion of electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia is propelled by government initiatives aimed at optimizing the roll-out of EV chargers and integrating them better with the energy grid, with the ultimate goal of increasing clean energy charging.
- The Polestar 2, due to its NMC lithium-ion chemistry battery, has a higher environmental impact compared to some other EV models like the Renault Megane E-Tech and the upcoming Tesla 'Model 2', which don't require rare earths.
- The environmental break-even point for EVs compared to Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles can be achieved after driving a certain number of kilometers, but it depends on factors like charging source and battery size.
- As renewable electricity sources, such as solar, wind, and hydro, continue to grow, the reliance on fossil fuels for charging EVs in Australia is expected to decrease over time, contributing to climate-change mitigation efforts in the science, industry, and environmental-science sectors.
