Insights into the Critical Materials Supply Chain of the Battery Market for Enhanced Energy Security

Abstract

This paper delves into the critical materials supply chain of the battery market with an emphasis on long-term energy security. The study recognizes electric vehicle battery packs as reservoirs of “locked reserves” for extended periods, typically 10 years or more. A comprehensive understanding of material flows and end-of-life battery management is essential to establish a sustainable, durable, and secure domestic supply chain for lithium-ion batteries. In addressing these concerns, the paper introduces a metric designed to assess the “per mile” consumption of critical reserves called “Materials Per Gallon-Electric (MPGe)”. The study emphasizes the immediate need for critical materials to meet the accelerated demand for large-scale electric vehicle adoption in the short term. Furthermore, the paper also emphasizes the urgent need to advance recycling technologies to recover the critical mineral reserves “locked” in end-of-life battery packs.