In addition to performance, the sustainability of the battery also plays a decisive role. This includes, in particular, fair and sustainable raw material procurement, a high proportion of renewable energy sources and high energy efficiency in production, intelligent reuse and closed material cycles through recycling. Therefore, the ecological impact of the battery is taken into account from start to finish.
Currently, battery cells for electric vehicles are not yet mass produced in Germany and Europe. Experts predict that global demand for lithium-ion batteries will rise from 200 GWh today to over 2,000 GWh per year by 2030. Electric vehicles will play an important role in this. In order to trigger investment and become independent of imports in this key future field, the BMWK has identified the industrial production of battery cells for mobile and stationary energy storage as a priority in the German government's so-called Energy and Climate Fund (EKF) and is now providing just under three billion euros to support innovative projects along the battery value chain. The aim is to pool and strengthen technological expertise in battery cells in Germany. In addition, large-scale production is to be established in Germany and Europe on the basis of research and innovation. To this end, two "Important Projects of Common European Interest" (IPCEI) on battery cell production will each bring together several companies from all over Europe.
Battery cells "made in Europe" should differ from those of competitors on the world market primarily in terms of sustainability: They should be more environmentally friendly and have a better climate balance. Disposal and recycling are to be considered from the outset during development and production. All dimensions of sustainability are to be taken into account in the supply chains, including human rights concerns and fair working conditions. These aspects are also being addressed in the battery IPCEIs.
The "green battery" is thus within reach - and becomes a competitive advantage: For example, low CO2 emissions play a major role in production and logistics. One of the aims is to reduce the environmental impact of raw material extraction and dependence on raw material imports from non-EU countries by consistently recycling batteries. As part of the IPCEI funding, ambitious target values for all dimensions of sustainability will be requested from the participating companies in Germany and reviewed over the course of the funding.
The German government will also play a supporting role in the European process to define ambitious sustainability requirements for batteries, which in turn represents an important building block in the EU Commission's "European Green Deal". The BMWK also supports the efforts of the "Global Battery Alliance" to develop and implement a digital "battery passport" that is intended to create transparency about the manufacturing and disposal conditions of batteries along the entire value chain.
Currently, battery cells for electric vehicles are not yet mass produced in Germany and Europe. Experts predict that global demand for lithium-ion batteries will rise from 200 GWh today to over 2,000 GWh per year by 2030. Electric vehicles will play an important role in this. In order to trigger investment and become independent of imports in this key future field, the BMWK has identified the industrial production of battery cells for mobile and stationary energy storage as a priority in the German government's so-called Energy and Climate Fund (EKF) and is now providing just under three billion euros to support innovative projects along the battery value chain. The aim is to pool and strengthen technological expertise in battery cells in Germany. In addition, large-scale production is to be established in Germany and Europe on the basis of research and innovation. To this end, two "Important Projects of Common European Interest" (IPCEI) on battery cell production will each bring together several companies from all over Europe.
Battery cells "made in Europe" should differ from those of competitors on the world market primarily in terms of sustainability: They should be more environmentally friendly and have a better climate balance. Disposal and recycling are to be considered from the outset during development and production. All dimensions of sustainability are to be taken into account in the supply chains, including human rights concerns and fair working conditions. These aspects are also being addressed in the battery IPCEIs.
The "green battery" is thus within reach - and becomes a competitive advantage: For example, low CO2 emissions play a major role in production and logistics. One of the aims is to reduce the environmental impact of raw material extraction and dependence on raw material imports from non-EU countries by consistently recycling batteries. As part of the IPCEI funding, ambitious target values for all dimensions of sustainability will be requested from the participating companies in Germany and reviewed over the course of the funding.
The German government will also play a supporting role in the European process to define ambitious sustainability requirements for batteries, which in turn represents an important building block in the EU Commission's "European Green Deal". The BMWK also supports the efforts of the "Global Battery Alliance" to develop and implement a digital "battery passport" that is intended to create transparency about the manufacturing and disposal conditions of batteries along the entire value chain.