# Battery EV Electric : A Shift Towards Sustainability

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/07/battery-ev-electric-a-shift-towards-sustainability/
- Published: 2022-07-26T09:18:00-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

The benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) have grown more evident in recent years.
That’s from greater fuel economy to [significantly reduced transportation emissions](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/07/ev-clean-energy-economy-powering-a-greener-future/).
Although the future of these cars is bright, improvements are necessary for a [broader transition](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/07/ev-clean-energy-economy-powering-a-greener-future/)
to electric transport. Lithium-ion batteries are perhaps the most [critical components](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/02/5-tips-you-need-to-know-about-moving-with-your-own-electric-car/)
of EVs, enabling these cars to operate efficiently. However, in an industry that
faces materials shortages, domineering markets and ineffective waste management,
the only path forward is to find better solutions to EV batteries.

![Close-up of an electric vehicle charging port with a charging cable connected.
Battery EV electric](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/
07/possessed-photography-znCLdh5-Srk-unsplash.jpg?w=780&quality=52&ssl=1)

Close-up of an [electric vehicle charging](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/11/philips-brings-the-traditional-light-bulb-into-the-21st-century/)
port and plug, highlighting the transition to electric transportation.

## **The Benefits of EVs**

If there’s ever been a time to transition to [electric](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/02/improving-electric-vehicle-sales-may-require-solving-unique-chicken-and-egg-problem/)
vehicles, it’s now. Amid inflation and recent oil sanctions on Russia, the [United States](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/02/the-united-states-can-save-1-2-trillion-by-2020-if-we-invest-in-green-buildings/)
has felt the pangs of rising gas prices. The current average is about [$4.60 per gallon at the pump](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/07/16/gas-price-increase-midterms/)
nationwide and might climb again in the fall.

The U.S. transportation sector [comprises 30% of U.S. energy](https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_benefits.html)
and accounts for 70% of the nation’s petroleum consumption. Thanks to current hybrid
and EV alternatives, the U.S. has diversified its transportation [energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/07/progress-on-commercial-building-energy-efficiency-has-been-good-but-more-attention-needed-to-decrease-waste-in-several-areas/)
outputs in a more energy-secure, budget-friendly manner.

According to one study by the University of Michigan, it costs less than half as
much to operate [electric cars as conventional](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/11/bmw-concept-xm-power-and-luxury-beyond-all-conventions/)
ones. For instance, consumers spend about [$495 annually to drive](https://www.energysage.com/electric-vehicles/advantages-of-evs/do-electric-cars-save-money/#:~:text=Fuel%20savings%20from%20driving%20electric%20cars&text=A%202018%20study%20from%20the,gasoline%2Dpowered%20vehicle%20is%20%241%2C117.)
EVs, while gas-powered vehicles cost nearly $1,117.

Of course, there are plenty of opportunities for the wider-spread use of EVs. For
one thing, lithium-ion batteries are now [30 times cheaper than they were](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02222-1)
when first introduced in the 1990s. Since these battery costs could decrease another
20% in 2023, experts believe EVs could reach a comparable market price to conventional
cars by the mid-2020s.

Like anything else, EVs aren’t perfect. Battery technology has to improve before
people can efficiently and quickly adopt electric-powered cars as their primary 
[transportation](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/01/la-times-future-of-transportation-campaign/).

## **The Case for Better EV Battery Solutions**

[Electric cars are inoperable without their batteries](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/07/ai-battery-ev-enhancing-electric-vehicle-efficiency/).
However, recent [battery EV Electric](https://greenlivingguy.com/2023/04/panasonic-electric-vehicle-battery-kansas-revolutionize-market/)
shortages have proven challenging for the industry to out-manufacture combustion-
engine vehicles. Part of the challenge is obtaining enough raw materials — [lithium](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/07/move-over-oil-lithium-is-the-future-of-transportation/),
manganese, cobalt and nickel — to ramp up the production of lithium-ion batteries.

Battery cells contain cathodes and anodes — a charge’s positive and negative electrodes.
While manufacturers are currently making strides to improve cathodes, limiting the
need for cobalt and nickel, anodes pose a significant supply chain issue.

China dominates the EV [battery](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/11/idtechex-releases-new-report-on-fire-protection-materials-for-electric-vehicle-batteries/)
industry in terms of production and availability of every required material for 
lithium-ion battery cells. The country monopolizes [79% and 89% of lithium-ion](https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a40447610/why-car-companies-cant-simply-fix-their-ev-battery-supply-problems/)
cell and anode production worldwide. Additionally, the country processes and purifies
57% of the world’s lithium. That’s in addition to 93% of manganese, 68% of nickel
and 73% of cobalt. It also retains 99.99% of the world’s pure graphite — perhaps
the most crucial element in EV battery cells.

The question of how to catch up to China’s electric [battery supply chain has hindered EV](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/11/solar-energy-battery-storage-solutions-in-north-america/)
industry growth in America. While the U.S. boasts a cleaner, low-cost power source—
lithium mining is not precisely environmentally-friendly. It’s not enough without
a streamlined strategy to address raw material shortages and boost production.

## Battery Shortage and Waste

According to Stellantis Chief Executive Officer Carlos Tavares, the auto industry
will mostly feel the effects of an EV battery[ shortage](https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ev-battery-output-bigger-challenge-than-eu-combustion-engine-ban-says-vw-2022-06-29/)
in 2024 and 2025. Battery disposal is a secondary problem the industry needs to 
address. Most lithium-ion batteries [last between 10 and 20 years, ](https://www.reviewgeek.com/115419/how-long-do-ev-batteries-last/)
and federal manufacturing warranties now guarantee eight years or 100,000 miles 
of usage.

When EV [batteries](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/10/battery-ev-recycling-material-a-renewable-future/)
operate at 70% of their capacity — the beginning of their end lifecycle — some manufacturers
transport the batteries to facilities where they’re given a second life or broken
down for the remaining materials. However, this isn’t always the case.

At this rate, experts estimate [more than 3.4 million batteries](https://wiretechcompany.com/2021/03/12/how-recyclable-are-the-batteries-of-an-electric-vehicle/)
for EV electric cars will clog landfills and stockpiles by 2025. Especially where
they’re a fire hazard and contaminate natural resources.  Unfortunately, some parts
of electric car [batteries are not recyclable](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/10/battery-ev-recycling-material-a-renewable-future/).
That’s due to their toxic components.

Automakers are attempting to find a solution to increase [battery](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/10/battery-ev-recycling-material-a-renewable-future/)
life even longer and use less hazardous materials. Some startups have replaced graphite
with silicon anodes that can [hold a charge ten times longer](https://www.vox.com/recode/23027110/solid-state-lithium-battery-tesla-gm-ford)
than current batteries. While this is undoubtedly a step in the right direction,
it’s only in the beginning stages of development.

## **Better EV Batteries Encourage Fewer Transportation Emissions**

A transition to battery EV electric[ vehicles](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/10/nova-bus-lfse-powering-the-future-of-public-transportation/)
can help people significantly reduce their transportation emissions. However, Better
battery solutions can [pave the way for the broader use](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/03/100000th-xpeng-p7-rolls-off-the-production-line/)
of EVs. As [global warming](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/07/earths-gravest-problem/)
increases, developing more advanced EV battery technologies is critical.

**Bio:**

Jane is the Editor-in-Chief of Environment.co and an environmental writer covering
green technology, sustainability and environmental news.

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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