How to Calculate the Carbon Footprint of Lithium-ion Batteries
1. Define System Boundaries
- Scope: Cradle-to-grave (raw material extraction → production → transportation → use → recycling).
- Functional Unit: Typically per kWh of battery capacity or per kg of battery mass.
2. Data Collection
- Direct Emissions: Energy consumption (electricity, natural gas) and process emissions during manufacturing.
- Indirect Emissions: Upstream supply chain (e.g., mining, material processing).
- Data Sources: Energy bills, fuel records, supplier carbon data.
3. Apply Emission Factors
- Electricity: Use grid-average factors (e.g., 0.583 kg CO₂/kWh for China’s 2025 grid).
- Fuels: Fixed values (e.g., 2.16 kg CO₂/m³ for natural gas).
4. Calculate & Aggregate
- Formula: Total emissions = Σ (Energy use × Emission factor).
- Example: A 1 MWh LFP battery with 500 kWh grid electricity and 100 m³ natural gas emits ~313 kg CO₂.
5. Verification & Reporting
- Third-party audits (e.g., TÜV) ensure compliance with EU Battery Regulation standards.
Key Tools & Standards
- LCA Software: SimaPro, GaBi.
- Standards: ISO 14044, EU PEFCRs.
Optimization Strategies
- Green Power: On-site renewables (e.g., solar) to reduce grid reliance.
- Recycling: Improve Li/Co recovery rates (EU target: ≥50% by 2031).