Five measures to reduce material demand for the transport transition
Raw material consumption depends on the vehicle model
© Kamonrat / adobe stock
The European Union can substantially reduce the raw material demand for electric vehicles and thereby decrease its dependence on raw material imports and new mining activities. This is demonstrated by a new study conducted by Oeko-Institut on behalf of SOMO, Seas At Risk and PowerShift. The study examines potential technical improvements and how more sustainable mobility patterns can contribute to reducing raw material consumption. It also analyses relevant EU-level policy entry points for implementing these measures. The analysis focuses on five priority measures: battery recycling, vehicle downsizing, improved energy efficiency, modal shift and travel avoidance.
Five measures to reduce (primary) material demand
The electrification of road transport is a key component of decarbonising the transport sector. At the same time, the growing uptake of electric passenger cars is increasing demand for critical battery raw materials such as lithium, nickel and cobalt. The findings show that battery recycling offers substantial potential to reduce primary raw material demand. By 2040, the use of secondary materials could considerably reduce demand for primary raw materials: savings of up to 50% are possible for lithium and nickel, and almost 70 percent for cobalt.
Smaller and more energy-efficient electric vehicles can also substantially reduce material demand. Ambitious vehicle downsizing could reduce demand for key battery materials by up to 21 percent by 2045 (18 percent for lithium, 19 percent for nickel and 21 percent for cobalt). Improvements in energy efficiency could reduce battery material demand by around 14 percent by 2035. Efficiency gains should translate into smaller batteries rather than being offset by rebound effects, such as increased driving range or heavier vehicles.
“The different measures should be addressed together to maximise their impact,” says Stefanie Degreif, project manager at Oeko-Institut. “The amount of raw materials we need depends largely on the vehicles we build and how we organise mobility.”
Sustainable mobility reduces resource demand
Beyond technical measures, more sustainable mobility patterns can contribute to reducing raw material consumption. Shifting existing trips from private cars to public transport, cycling and walking, as well as avoiding unnecessary trips, are important measures for decarbonising transport. Considered together, modal shift and travel avoidance could reduce demand for battery materials by up to 36 percent by 2050.
Sustainable mobility reduces resource demand
Beyond technical measures, more sustainable mobility patterns can contribute to reducing raw material consumption. Shifting existing trips from private cars to public transport, cycling and walking, as well as avoiding unnecessary trips, are important measures for decarbonising transport. Considered together, modal shift and travel avoidance could reduce demand for battery materials by up to 36 percent by 2050.
The transport transition must not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also use resources more efficiently. Alongside more energy-efficient vehicles and high-quality battery recycling, we therefore need attractive alternatives to private cars, as well as urban and transport planning that enables shorter journeys and avoids unnecessary travel.
Action needed at EU and local levels
The study highlights that meeting future raw material demand does not necessarily require expanding primary extraction alone. The EU can establish important conditions for recycling and resource efficiency through regulatory frameworks such as the Batteries Regulation and the Critical Raw Materials Act. The researchers recommend maintaining ambitious recycled-content targets for battery raw materials, strengthening incentives for smaller electric vehicles, and incorporating vehicle energy consumption as a specific criterion in regulatory frameworks and financial support schemes. At the same time, Member States and local authorities have a central role to play in expanding sustainable mobility services and supporting transport and spatial planning that reduces dependence on private cars.
Combining circular economy approaches, more energy-efficient vehicles and changes in mobility patterns can help reduce pressure on global raw material supply chains, mitigate environmental impacts and strengthen Europe's supply security and resilience.
Study 'Decarbonising Road Transport Beyond Mining-Intensive Pathways' by Oeko-Institut
