How sustainable manufacturing affects the EV transition

How sustainable manufacturing affects the EV transition

TerrePower says we must reconsider the emissions created when mining and fabricating critical raw materials for EVs.

Across the globe, we are becoming more aware of the health of our planet and its limited natural resources. We are beginning to understand that as consumers, our significant needs and wastes can have a detrimental effect and can subsequently impact future generations. Fortunately, the automotive industry has teamed up to begin to tackle carbon emissions and climate change. In 2022, we saw a significant transition to electric vehicles. SMP Mobility forecast electric vehicle sales in the United States could reach 40% of the car sales by 2030. Every automotive manufacturer is showcasing a new lineup of electric vehicles and drivers like you are plugging in, instead of filling up more than ever.

So, how does this meet sustainable manufacturing? With millions of commuters no longer producing tailpipe emissions, our environmental focus must shift from the drive to before the drive even begins. Electric vehicle components, especially batteries, demand significant amounts of raw materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, which can be difficult to source, and when sourcing them, can be damaging to the environment. Furthermore, extracting these materials for a huge automotive transition creates an immense carbon footprint and critical material demand that we just cannot meet with our current capabilities.

If we’re going to think about a sustainable electric vehicle transition, we must consider the millions of tons of critical raw materials being sourced and the emissions created when mining, fabricating and transporting those materials. With sustainable manufacturing through TerrePower, we ensure that underperforming EV components that reach the end of their first life are tested, serviced, and returned to use, whether it be in another vehicle by giving them an entirely new second life on the road, in stationary storage applications, or in other uses. These applications keep new raw materials from being sourced and harmful emissions from being released.

By implementing this circular economy process, we aren’t immediately shredding EV components for recycling, which can take significant time, energy, and increased cost. At TerrePower, we aim to utilize underperforming batteries at their highest value for as long as possible, keeping harmful production emissions out of the air, and ensuring the sustainability of critical materials. This is the electric vehicle transition with sustainability in mind. This is TerrePower.

This video is sponsored by TerrePower. TerrePower is the innovative solar panel and EV battery lifecycle management division of BBB Industries. TerrePower is an industry leader and innovator in the sustainable manufacturing of components driving our clean energy and mobility future.

You May Also Like

How important is regenerative braking for EVs?

Regenerative braking helps to increase the overall efficiency and range of the EV, increasing the range of an EV by up to 20%.

EV-IQ-EV-regenbrakes

You can’t talk about how electric vehicles are revolutionizing the way we think about transportation without talking about regenerative braking. It’s an incredible system that allows EVs to capture and convert some of the kinetic energy generated during braking into electrical energy. This energy can then be stored and used to charge the vehicle's batteries, effectively extending the range of the vehicle. So, how does regenerative braking work?

BEV brake service tips

In order to disconnect the 12-volt power system on the Model S you must access the “frunk” or front trunk. And before you disconnect the 12-volt battery you need to do two things.

bendpak-EV-garage
Grid management at the intersection of hardware and software

We discuss the need for renewable energy generation and the benefits of managing EV charging intelligently at a hyperlocal level.

wallbox-1920-cdk-1400
What you need to know about EV cooling systems

The large batteries that EVs carry need to be maintained within a specific temperature range for optimal performance.

EV-IQ-EV-Cooling-Systems-1400
AMN Drivetime with Epicor’s Jon Owens

Owens describes what he’s learned from volunteering in the industry and his vision for AACF as current its president.

Jon-Owens-AMN-Feb-24

Other Posts

Industry opinions split over EPA’s new emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles

Phase 3 standards will set stronger rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty vehicles beginning in model year 2027.

Heavy-duty-truck-emissions-stock
Volvo’s EX30 has the lowest carbon footprint among its EV lineup

Volvo said it plans to reduce the EX30’s CO2 impact even further by collaborating with suppliers across its entire value chain.

Volvo-EX30-charging-1400
Recycled Rubber Coalition white paper examines EV impact on scrapped tires

The Coalition estimates there will be a 12% increase in the number of scrap tires that will be produced as drivers transition to EVs.

Recycled-Rubber-Coalition
SAE partners with Intel on vehicle power management standards

A new SAE committee will adopt power management concepts from the personal computer industry.

EV-charging-generic-SAE-consortium-1400