A combination of measures limits demand for critical materials in Sweden’s electric car transition
Journal article, 2025

Electrification of passenger cars will result in an increased demand for critical raw materials. Here we estimate the quantities of nickel, manganese, cobalt, lithium, and graphite that could be required for a transition to electric cars in Sweden and how different measures can limit material demand. We find notable reduction potentials for shorter battery range—enabled by improved charging infrastructure, increased vehicle energy efficiency, and reduced travel demand compared to a reference scenario. The reduction potentials for downsizing and more lightweight cars, and car sharing are more modest. The combined impact of these measures would be 50–75% reduction in cumulative demand and 72–87% reduction in in-use stock in 2050, depending on the material and battery chemistry pathway. Generally, the reduction potentials are larger than the potential contributions from recycling, suggesting that these complementary measures may be more effective in reducing material demand.

Author

Johannes Morfeldt

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Physical Resource Theory

Daniel Johansson

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Physical Resource Theory

Simon Davidsson Kurland

Uppsala University

Communications Earth and Environment

26624435 (eISSN)

Vol. 6 1 163

MISTRA Carbon Exit Phase 2

The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research (Mistra) (MISTRACarbonExitPhase2), 2021-07-01 -- 2025-03-31.

Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)

Other Environmental Engineering

Transport Systems and Logistics

Energy Systems

DOI

10.1038/s43247-025-02085-8

More information

Latest update

3/25/2025