As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to dominate the automotive landscape, the spotlight often falls on lithium as the “new oil” powering these clean, green machines. However, behind the scenes, several materials play crucial roles in shaping the future of EV battery technology. Cobalt, nickel, and manganese are familiar names, but one unsung hero, making up 16% of a typical lithium-ion battery, is graphite, often overlooked in discussions on the electric vehicle revolution.
Graphite serves as the anode or negative terminal in these batteries, and despite its critical role, it doesn’t receive as much attention as its counterparts. What makes graphite even more interesting is its potential to significantly impact the sustainability of EVs. A startling 40% of a battery’s carbon footprint can be attributed to highly polluting sources of graphite.
Currently, China stands as the global leader in graphite supply, controlling a whopping 75% of both synthetic and natural graphite supply chains, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. The recent move by the Chinese Communist Party to restrict graphite exports to the U.S. underscores the nation’s dominance in this crucial market.
Gary Urb, co-founder and CEO of Up Catalyst, a startup specializing in making graphite from carbon dioxide, sheds light on the current market dynamics. “China basically overrules the market right now,” he notes, emphasizing the need for alternative sources and sustainable production methods.
Graphite refined in China raises environmental concerns, releasing 17 tons of carbon pollution for every ton produced, surpassing the environmental impact of lithium refined from brine. This stark reality highlights the urgency of finding cleaner and greener alternatives to graphite production.
Enter Up Catalyst and their innovative approach to addressing this challenge. Specializing in making graphite from carbon dioxide, the startup is at the forefront of a movement to reduce the environmental impact of graphite production. Researchers, including Urb and his colleagues, stumbled upon this method inadvertently while developing graphite for hydrogen fuel cells.
As the world grapples with the environmental implications of the EV revolution, the quest for sustainable materials and production methods becomes increasingly vital. Graphite, often overshadowed, emerges as a critical player in this journey towards a cleaner automotive future. The efforts of companies like Up Catalyst exemplify the innovative spirit driving the industry, demonstrating that even the smallest components, like graphite, can play a significant role in enhancing the sustainability of electric vehicles.