Electric Vehicles—An Overview of Current Issues—Part 1—Environmental Impact, Source of Energy, Recycling, and Second Life of Battery

Marek Guzek, Jerzy Jackowski, Rafał S. Jurecki (), Emilia M. Szumska, Piotr Zdanowicz and Marcin Żmuda
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Marek Guzek: Faculty of Transport, Warsaw University of Technology, Koszykowa 75, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland
Jerzy Jackowski: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Vehicles and Transportation, Military University of Technology (WAT), Street gen. Sylwestra Kaliskiego 2, 00-908 Warsaw, Poland
Rafał S. Jurecki: Department of Automotive Engineering and Transport, Faculty of Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering, Kielce University of Technology, Ave. Tysiąclecia Państwa Polskiego 7, 25-314 Kielce, Poland
Emilia M. Szumska: Department of Automotive Engineering and Transport, Faculty of Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering, Kielce University of Technology, Ave. Tysiąclecia Państwa Polskiego 7, 25-314 Kielce, Poland
Piotr Zdanowicz: Faculty of Transport, Warsaw University of Technology, Koszykowa 75, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland
Marcin Żmuda: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Vehicles and Transportation, Military University of Technology (WAT), Street gen. Sylwestra Kaliskiego 2, 00-908 Warsaw, Poland

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 1, 1-25

Abstract: The rapid transition to electric-drive vehicles is taking place globally. Most automakers are adding electric models to their lineups to prepare for the new electric future. From the analysis of the automotive market, it is evident that there is a growing interest in such vehicles. They are expected to account for half the models released after 2030. Electric-drive vehicles include battery-electric vehicles. As indicated in the research literature and emphasized by experts, electric vehicles (EVs) are supposed to be an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional vehicles. The rising number and variety of EVs contribute to a better understanding of their performance. With more EVs on the market, there are problems to be solved and challenges to overcome. This article is the first part of a two-article series reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of EVs. The article analyzes the environmental effects of EVs at each stage of their life cycle, compares large- and small-scale recycling methods, and explores the potential applications of second-life batteries. This article is an attempt to find out how environmentally friendly EVs are.

Keywords: electric vehicle; electric drive; EV safety; environment protection; source of energy; LCA; recycling; second life of batteries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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