Driving EV Take Up: It's All About The Battery

Globally, transport (including motorised transport on land, sea, and air) accounts for approximately one-fifth of global CO2 emissions. (Source: Our World in Data, 2020). Within the mobility system, road transportation is the biggest carbon producer. In Europe, transport was responsible for about a quarter of the EU’s total CO2 emissions in 2019. With road transportation accountable for around 71.7% of this. (Source: EEA, 2022).

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, battery-electric cars established themselves as the third-most-popular choice for buyers in 2023. In last December, market share surged to 18.5%, contributing to a 14.6% share for the full year, surpassing diesel.

Despite this rapid increase in EV sales there remain barriers to the further uptake of EVs in the marketplace. And battery innovation by companies like Panasonic will be at the heart of overcoming these challenges.

Kantar recently surveyed 4,000 people online across four countries (the US, UK, Germany, and Singapore) to examine consumer attitudes towards EVs. The study explored what motivates consumers to consider buying an EV and what concerns might discourage them from doing so.

Although a significant percentage of consumers in the four selected markets are considering buying an EV as their next car, they also have concerns about EVs, with over 60% of potential buyers expressing concerns, the top three of which were:

o   "limited driving range"

o   "lack of charging infrastructure"

o   "high purchase cost”

In Germany, the main concern among potential EV buyers is the "limited driving range". The second biggest concern is the "lack of charging infrastructure" (58%).

 Kantar: Understanding Consumer Attitudes Towards Electric Vehicles

 In addition, there is some concern amongst consumers about the environmental impact of sourcing and disposing of EV batteries - Factcheck: 21 misleading myths about electric vehicles - Carbon Brief

As one of the world’s major battery producers, Panasonic is supporting EV adoption with innovative and more circular approaches to battery production by improving the energy density of its batteries, as well as developing a larger cell, 4680. This in turn means  higher range, faster charging and lower cost, tackling some of the key barriers to further consumer uptake of EVs.

Nearly 90% of greenhouse gas emissions associated with EV battery production comes from resource extraction, raw material processing and logistics. Reducing the use of these metals is a priority for Panasonic. They are leading the development of cobalt-free and lower nickel content cathodes to improve the sustainability of battery production. At the same time, their goal is to halve their Carbon Foot-Print (CFP) by 2031 especially through new partnerships with the low CFP material producers, such as NMG and Novonix.

It has also signed a deal with Sila to use Titan Silicon to replace some of the graphite in lithium-ion batteries which could enable 500 mile driving ranges and 10 minute re-charges.

It has been estimated that recycling end-of-life EV batteries could provide 60 per cent of cobalt, 53 per cent of lithium, 57 per cent of manganese and 53 per cent of nickel needed globally by 2040. Panasonic is partnering with Redwood Materials Inc. (RMN) to source recycled cathode active materials to make Lithium-Ion Batteries in its new Kansas facility, while recycled copper foil will be used at its factory in Nevada.  

And it is not just about the car. It is a key supplier of components for e-bikes, and high-quality battery technology with integrated battery management systems for optimal performance and safety.

 The internal combustion engine (ICE) is a massive contributor to the climate crisis. We have a clear alternative to replace it (EVs). The deployment of EVs is increasing but people still worry about their upfront cost, range, the time taken to re-charge them and the environmental impact of EV production.

At the heart of overcoming all of these concerns is the EV battery. Over the last decade, their price, range, recharge time and environmental impact has improved substantially. But now, manufacturers like Panasonic are on the cusp of delivering a further step change in battery performance and in doing so help further speed up EV uptake.