ABSTRACT
European and global energy policies are based on a competitive, sustainable and secure energy system in the coming years, promoting Renewable Energy Sources as a priority measure for long term sustainability of the energy sector. The lithium-ion battery value chain for E-mobility comprises a wide spectrum, starting from raw materials production, cell component manufacturing, cell manufacturing, battery pack manufacturing, electric vehicle integration and recycling. The extraction and exploitation of the most common raw materials generally comes from resource-rich countries outside the EU. The process of extracting raw materials causes an environmental footprint through water pollution and release of GHG emissions, producing half of the GHGs from the battery production segment. The EU could have a head start if strong and concerted research efforts are initiated now, both in academic research and pre-industrial development, so that know-how and intellectual property is generated early, serving as a basis for industrial production in the EU and market penetration worldwide.
