Comparing the energy and climate impacts of conventional lithium-ion and all-solid-state batteries

Abstract

All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) are emerging as next-generation, high energy density and safer alternatives to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), yet their environmental impacts, especially during recycling, remain underexplored. Conventional LIBs dominate today's EV market, but their production is energy- and resource-intensive. This study develops a prospective recycling process for ASSBs with NMC811 cathodes, lithium-metal anodes, and Li₃PS₄ electrolyte, and compares their life cycle energy and climate impacts with those of NMC811/graphite LIBs. The use phase dominates impacts for both battery chemistries. Using a Monte Carlo analysis to consider uncertain impacts, we find that on a per-cell basis, ASSBs exhibit higher environmental burdens during recycling than LIBs. When normalized with lifetime energy delivered, energy consumption depends strongly on lifespan: ASSBs show significantly higher energy use if their lifetime is half that of LIBs, whereas comparable or extended lifetimes yield no significant reduction in energy use. Grid carbon intensity and vehicle fuel economy play a substantial role in overall environmental impact, as they directly influence the energy use and greenhouse gas emissions associated with battery use. ASSBs can be a more sustainable option if used for lightweighting or aerodynamic vehicle designs, but do not offer significant environmental benefits over conventional LIBs at the battery cell level. From a policy perspective, realizing the sustainability potential of ASSBs depends less on chemistry alone and more on system-level efficiency improvements, supportive integration frameworks, and realistic performance lifetimes.