A combination of measures limits demand for critical materials in Sweden’s electric car transition
Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift, 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.

Författare

Johannes Morfeldt

Chalmers, Rymd-, geo- och miljövetenskap, Fysisk resursteori

Daniel Johansson

Chalmers, Rymd-, geo- och miljövetenskap, Fysisk resursteori

Simon Davidsson Kurland

Uppsala universitet

Communications Earth and Environment

26624435 (eISSN)

Vol. 6 1 163

MISTRA Carbon Exit FAS 2

Stiftelsen för miljöstrategisk forskning (Mistra) (MISTRACarbonExitPhase2), 2021-07-01 -- 2025-03-31.

Ämneskategorier (SSIF 2025)

Annan naturresursteknik

Transportteknik och logistik

Energisystem

DOI

10.1038/s43247-025-02085-8

Mer information

Senast uppdaterat

2025-03-25