Bericht aus Indien 0425

How Sustainable are Electric Vehicles?

Sustainable ecosystems are vital for a healthy planet and a thriving human population. Figure 1 illustrates this concept. As environmental challenges intensify, the shift to sustainable transportation is crucial. Electric vehicles (EVs) offer a solution by reducing carbon emissions, air pollution, and fossil fuel dependence. By 2030, various EV types—including battery, hybrid, plug-in, and fuel-cell models—are expected to make up half of all vehicle production. EVs are up to three times more energy-efficient than internal combustion engine vehicles. However, their sustainability depends on factors such as battery production, raw material extraction, energy sources, and end-of-life disposal [1,2].

For EVs to achieve true sustainability, their electricity supply must come from renewable sources. Governments and businesses are investing in renewable energy infrastructure to meet rising EV demand and maximize their benefits. In 2023, the global EV market was valued at 1,070.77 billion US-Dollars and is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 33.6 % from 2024 to 2030. Meanwhile, India's EV market, valued at 8.49 billion US-Dollars in 2024, is expected to expand at a CAGR of 40.7 % from 2025 to 2030 [3].

Environmental Benefits of Electric Vehicles

The primary environmental advantage of EVs is their ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Powered by electricity, EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, improving air quality, particularly in urban areas. When charged with clean renewable energy sources like wind, solar, or hydropower, EVs have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to conventional vehicles. The transportation sector contributes to a quarter of global energy-related emissions. EVs, when integrated with clean energy grids, offer a key strategy for reducing fossil fuel dependence. However, EV production is more carbon-intensive, with battery manufacturing alone contributing 35-41 % of the total global warming potential.

The growing demand for EVs increases the need for minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, critical for battery production. The extraction of these minerals is energy-intensive and raises both environmental and geopolitical challenges. To reduce the environmental impact of EV production, manufacturers are adopting sustainable practices, such as modular electric vehicle platforms (MEVPs). A study in Sustainable Development noted that these platforms, used by European automakers, improve efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and simplify recycling by utilizing multifunctional materials and thinner batteries [4].

EV Usage and Emissions

While EVs produce no emissions during operation, the source of electricity used to charge them significantly impacts their overall environmental footprint. In regions where electricity is generated from non-renewable sources like coal, oil, natural gas, or nuclear power, the environmental benefits of EVs are reduced. In contrast, clean energy from renewable sources like hydroelectric, wind, and solar power leads to greater emission reductions. India has witnessed unprecedented growth in solar and wind energy. In 2024, a record-breaking 24.5 GW of solar capacity and 3.4 GW of wind capacity were added, marking more than a twofold increase in solar installations and a 21 % rise in wind installations compared to 2023 [5].

fig 2

The rise in EV adoption also increases electricity demand. A case study in China [2] showed that while EVs reduced gasoline consumption, they increased demand for coal-based power, shifting emissions from the transportation sector to the electricity industry. This shift did not result in a net reduction in emissions but merely transferred pollution from one sector to another. Thus, the environmental benefits of EVs are closely linked to the energy mix and grid structure of each region. The shift to clean energy increases electricity demand and the use of variable renewables like wind and solar, putting more pressure on power grids. Smart grid technologies, which use digital technologies, sensors, and software to match supply and demand in real time, can help manage this transition while improving grid stability, resilience, and reliability. Figure 2 presents a conceptual representation of a smart power grid, illustrating its structure, functionality, and integration of advanced technologies for efficient energy management.

Challenges to the Sustainability of Electric Vehicles

Despite their benefits, EV sustainability faces challenges. Extracting materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel can lead to habitat destruction and water pollution. Additionally, the energy-intensive manufacturing process contributes to carbon emissions, partially offsetting EVs' environmental advantages.

Battery recycling remains an ongoing challenge. By 2025, over 1.3 million tons of EV batteries are expected to be retired, raising concerns about pollution and resource wastage [1]. Innovations in battery recycling and second-life applications for EV batteries are essential to address these issues.

Lifecycle Impact and End-of-Life Considerations

To assess the sustainability of EVs, their entire lifecycle—from production to disposal—must be considered. While EVs have a higher carbon footprint during battery manufacturing, this is often offset over the vehicle’s lifespan due to lower emissions during operation. Battery recycling and second-life solutions, like repurposing retired batteries for reduced capacity applications can significantly reduce the overall environmental impact of EVs [6]. An example is BMW Group UK's partnership with Off Grid Energy to repurpose retired batteries from Mini and BMW vehicles into mobile power units [1].

Recycling materials such as steel, aluminium, and cathode materials from batteries can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 61 %, 13 %, and 20 %, respectively, over an EV's lifecycle. Recycling also lowers the demand for critical raw materials like lithium and nickel, with recycled metals potentially fulfilling 5.2 % to 11.3 % of this demand, helping mitigate the depletion of these reserves [1].

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Electric vehicles represent a significant step toward sustainable transportation, offering benefits like reduced emissions and improved air quality. However, their full environmental potential depends on factors such as battery production, raw material extraction, energy sources, and recycling practices. To maximize sustainability, EV manufacturers must adopt greener production processes, improve battery recycling and second-life battery applications, and transition to clean energy grids. Policymakers, manufacturers, and consumers all play crucial roles in this process. While EVs alone can't ensure major emission reductions, decarbonizing power generation and advancing EV technology are crucial. With proper infrastructure and innovation, EVs can drive a more sustainable future.

The World's Largest Gathering: 2025 Maha Kumbh

The 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India, was held from January 13 to February 26, drawing over 662 million devotees over 45 days, including 3 million international visitors. Pilgrims gathered at the Triveni Sangam, the revered confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. On five auspicious days (January 14, 29, and February 3, 12, 16, 26), 15 to 35 million pilgrims took a holy dip for spiritual purification. The Kumbh Mela follows an approximately 12-year cycle, based on the Hindu luni-solar calendar, rotating among Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik, and Prayagraj. Each location’s celebration is determined by a unique set of astrological alignments involving the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter. The Maha Kumbh, held exclusively in Prayagraj, occurs after 12 Kumbh Melas—approximately every 144 years—making it a once-in-a-lifetime event (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3: Maha Kumbh spiritual gathering in the past

Spanning 4,000 hectares, the temporary city featured 150,000 tents, 3,000 kitchens, 70,000 security personnel, 2,700 AI-powered cameras, 250 km of roads, and 22 pontoon bridges. The infrastructure included 400,000 toilets and three temporary sewage treatment plants (STPs). A dedicated team of 500 Ganga Praharis and 10,000 sanitation workers ensured cleanliness. It was a unique blend of spiritual tradition and modern technology.

Three 500 kiloliter per day (KLD) STPs used Hybrid Granular Sequencing Batch Reactor (hgSBR) technology to treat wastewater, reducing biochemical and chemical oxygen demand to well below 30 mg/L for reuse or discharge. The hgSBR system employs biological and redox chemical processes, where microorganisms oxidize organic matter and ammonia in wastewater, converting them into nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Additionally, water polishing with atomic ozone micro-bubbling was used to remove colour, odour, and bacteria. This compact, cost-effective solution requires 60 % less land and 30 % lower infrastructure costs. It efficiently converts waste into valuable organic fertilizers while being odour-free, chemical-free, and environmentally sustainable.

NH₃ + 2 O₂ → NO₃⁻ + H⁺ + H₂O

3 C + 2 NO₃⁻ → N₂ + 3 CO₂ (gas)

In anoxic conditions, facultative anaerobic denitrifying bacteria facilitate denitrification, reducing nitrate to nitrogen gas in multiple steps. Each step is catalysed by specific enzymes produced by species of denitrifying bacteria.

NO₃⁻ → NO₂⁻ → NO → N₂O → N₂ (gas)

Additionally, 10 STPs were installed earlier in Prayagraj under the Namami Gange Mission. Notably, the Ganges hosts 1,100 types of bacteriophages that rapidly eliminate harmful bacteria, including pathogens, while preserving beneficial microbes, aiding in the river’s self-purification. Bacterial metabolism typically lowers pH through acidic byproducts like lactic or carbonic acid, yet the water at Sangam remained alkaline (8.4-8.6) even after over 662 million devotees bathed in it, maintaining quality.

• www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/mahakumbh-mela-2025-is-it-safe-to-take-a-dip-in-the-ganga
• https://www.rediff.com/news/report/as-pure-as-alkaline-water-up-quotes-scientist-on-sangam-water/20250221.htm
• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/maha-kumbh-2025-daily-water-testing-removal-of-pooja-waste-among-measures-to-keep-ganga-dip-safe/articleshow/117516138.cms
• https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/maha-kumbh-daily-water-testing-removal-of-pooja-waste-measures-ganga-dip-safe-1.10281903
• https://theprint.in/india/maha-kumbh-draws-over-66-21-crore-devotees-cm-yogi-adityanath/2512961/
• https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/maha-kumbh-draws-over-66-21-crore-devotees-cm-yogi-adityanath/#google_vignette
• https://www.indiatvnews.com/uttar-pradesh/mahakumbh-over-66-21-crore-devotees-took-holy-dip-at-triveni-sangam-cm-yogi-adityanath-shares-count-2025-02-26-978119
• www.indiatoday.in/india/story/memories-of-maha-kumbh-mela-2025-how-foreigners-will-remember-prayagraj-shahi-snanhivratri-2686021-2025-02-26

Cold-expanding materials may solve the winter woes of lithium-ion batteries

At low temperatures, battery electrolytes thicken, slowing Li-ion movement. This hinders proper lithium insertion into electrodes, causing lithium metal deposition on the electrode, which can lead to internal short circuits and battery fires. Lithium titanium phosphate (LiTi2(PO4)3, or LTP), with a negative thermal expansion coefficient of −1.1×10−6K−1, offers a solution. As temperature drops, increased transverse vibration of O atoms expands Li+ transport channels and insertion sites in the lattice, enhancing electrochemical performance. LTP retains 84 % of Li+ diffusivity at 25 °C and 96 % of its theoretical capacity at −10 °C. Its open crystal structure minimizes unit-cell expansion, improving cycling stability with 96.8 % capacity retention over 1000 cycles at 2 C.

Qiao Li; L. Yang et al: Negative thermal expansion behavior enabling good electrochemical‐energy‐storage performance at low temperatures, Angew. Chem. Int. Edition, 64, no. 7 (2025) e202419300. doi: 10.1002/anie.202419300

REFERENCES

[1] Electric Vehicle Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report 2024-2030. Report ID: 978-1-68038-259-4. www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/electric-vehicles-ev-market[2] J. F. Lampon: Efficiency in design and production to achieve sustainable development challenges in the automobile industry: Modular electric vehicle platforms, Sustain. Dev., 31, no. 1 (2022) 26-38. doi.org/10.1002/sd.2370
[3] India’s renewable energy revolution 2024 achievements & 2025 Roadmap. January 22, 2025. https://pib.gov.in/FactsheetDetails.aspx?Id=149095&reg=3&lang=1
[4] P. Lu; S. Hamori et al.: Does the electric vehicle industry help achieve sustainable development goals? —evidence from China, Front. Environ. Sci., 11, (2024) 1276382. doi:10.3389/fenvs.2023.1276382
[5] M. Guzek; J. Jackowski et al.: Electric vehicles—An overview of current issues—Part 1—Environmental impact, source of energy, recycling, and second life of battery, Energies, 17, no. 1 (2024) 249. doi.org/10.3390/en17010249
[6] Z. Rami; V. Ahmad et al.: Electric vehicle adoption: A comprehensive systematic review of technological, environmental, organizational and policy impacts, World Electr. Veh. J., 15, no. 8 (2024) 375. doi: 10.3390/wevj15080375