Batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, play a central role in the energy transition.
However, their environmental impact raises questions. The extraction of the necessary raw materials (lithium, cobalt, nickel) has significant environmental effects: water consumption, soil and water pollution, CO₂ emissions, as well as social issues related to working conditions in certain countries. The manufacturing phase is also energy-intensive. However, over their entire life cycle, batteries have a much lower overall carbon footprint than combustion engines, especially if the electricity used is from renewable sources. Improvements in technology, the establishment of responsible supply chains and the development of recycling are helping to reduce this impact.
In addition, the use of second-life batteries (e.g. for stationary storage) extends their useful life, limiting the need for new resources.