Raw Materials for Li-ion and Redox Flow Batteries

Fast, even exponential growth of electric vehicle (EV) market has been forecasted, and rapid expansion of lithium-ion battery production capacity is underway. However, there are some concerns about availability of raw materials, especially lithium and cobalt to support this rapid electrification of the road transport. We have compared the availability of these raw materials to market forecasts by EV and lithium battery industries, and addressed the possibilities of mitigating the supply risks by recycling or choice of cathode chemistries with reduced or zero cobalt content. Finally, we have addressed the resource availability for redox flow batteries to supplement Li-ion batteries in the stationary market.