Do the raw materials for energy storage charging piles need to be imported

How much primary high-grade ore is needed for battery recycling?

At least 22.2 t of primary high-grade ore is required to generate the market value equivalent of 1 t of end-of-life LIBs. Despite the uncertainty facing the EU supply of critical materials and the European Directive specifying battery collection, recycling rates are low.

Should Europe be less dependent on imports of critical raw materials?

MEPs want Europe to be less dependent on the imports of critical raw materials that are crucial for its strategic industries. To become climate neutral, energy efficient and more competitive in the digital age, the EU will need more critical raw materials such as lithium and cobalt to manufacture batteries and electric engines.

Will the EU be reliant on battery raw materials?

However, it is likely that the EU will be import reliant to various degrees for primary and processed (batt-grade) materials. Australia and Canada are the two countries with the greatest potential to provide additional and low-risk supply to the EU for almost all battery raw materials.

How can a circular economy reduce the demand of batteries?

Source: JRC analysis. Demand of primary materials for batteries can be decreased as well as the criticality of raw materials supply through the adoption of various Circular Economy (CE) strategies, e.g. extending the lifespan of batteries (reuse, remanufacturing and second-use) and recycling (providing secondary materials).

What materials are needed to make a battery?

The need for electrical materials for battery use is therefore very significant and obviously growing steadily. As an example, a factory producing 30 GWh of batteries requires about 33,000 tons of graphite, 25,000 tons of lithium, 19,000 tons of nickel and 6000 tons of cobalt, each in the form of battery-grade active materials.

Where do raw materials come from?

Although China remains a major EU supplier, some raw materials are sourced from within the EU. For example, coking coal and copper come from Poland, arsenic from Belgium, hafnium from France, strontium from Spain and nickel from Finland. The European Commission presented the Critical Raw Materials Act in March 2023.