REPORT: Making the Most of Electric Vehicle Batteries
Resource Library

Access the report here!

Transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) will slash air pollution and heat-trapping emissions and avoid the daily consumption of millions of gallons of gasoline in the United States. The nationwide transition is in its early stages and we have the opportunity to minimize the minerals needed for electrification and create a resilient, just, and sustainable EV supply chain. UCS research quantifies the potential to minimize mineral demand for passenger cars and trucks in the United States through battery recycling, improved vehicle efficiency, rightsizing vehicle range for different driving needs, technological innovation, and increasing transportation options.

Key findings include:

• With smart policies, investments, and industry leadership, newly mined lithium needs can be reduced by nearly half (48 percent) from 2025 to 2050.
• This reduction amounts to 1.5 million metric tons, equivalent to 180 million of today’s typically sized EV batteries.